The mediation effect of emotion dysregulation in the relationship between anger and aggression on the road in a sample of Spanish drivers

•Direct relationship between trait driving anger and aggression is usually assumed.•The mediation role of emotion dysregulation is explored thorough SEM.•Emotion dysregulation correlated with trait driving anger and aggression.•Emotion dysregulation explained the relationship between anger and aggre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transportation research. Part F, Traffic psychology and behaviour Traffic psychology and behaviour, 2021-05, Vol.79, p.63-71
Main Authors: Herrero-Fernández, David, Parada-Fernández, Pamela, Jorge, Richard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anger
Automobile drivers
Automobile driving
Crashes
Driver behavior
Driving aggression
Emotion regulation
Emotions
Human factors
Mediation
Traffic accidents
Traffic accidents & safety
Trait driving anger
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Summary:•Direct relationship between trait driving anger and aggression is usually assumed.•The mediation role of emotion dysregulation is explored thorough SEM.•Emotion dysregulation correlated with trait driving anger and aggression.•Emotion dysregulation explained the relationship between anger and aggression. Aggressive behaviour on the road is one of the most studied topics in human factors, given it has been related to both risky behaviour and traffic crashes. While previous research has proposed trait driving anger as one of the better predictors, mediation variables which could explain this relationship have not deserved attention. The current research aimed to explore the mediation effect of emotion regulation in this relationship. The sample consisted of 472 Spanish drivers, who completed a set of self-reports regarding trait driving anger, frequency of aggressive behaviours at the wheel, and difficulties in emotion regulation. The results showed significant relationship among the variables in almost all the cases. Furthermore, a SEM analysis showed that difficulties in emotion regulation significantly mediated the relationship between trait driving anger and each way of the aggressive behaviours (verbal, physical, using own vehicle, and displaced). These results have important implications in the design of strategies focused on the improvement of emotion regulation to reduce aggressive behaviours in drivers. Finally, the limitations of the study are commented.
ISSN:1369-8478
1873-5517
DOI:10.1016/j.trf.2021.04.009