RT Conference Proceedings
T1 Emotional intelligence abilities and their relationship with risky driving behavior
A1 Megías-Robles, Alberto
A1 Sánchez López, María Teresa
A1 Gómez-Leal, Raquel
A1 Fernández-Berrocal, Pablo
K1 Accidentes de tráfico - Aspectos psicológicos - Congresos
AB Risky driving behaviors constitute one of the main causes of fatal road accidents. Previous literature has clearly shown the role that emotions play in explaining risk-taking. In the present study, we proposed that a better recognition, use, and manage of our emotions, i.e., a better emotional intelligence, can be related to a lower tendency to engage in risky behaviors while driving. A Spanish community sample of 555 participants with a driving license were enrolled in the study (Mage = 39.34 years old; 49.19% were women). Participants were assessed on risky driving behavior and self-reported ability EI using the Dula Dangerous Driving Index and the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, respectively. The variables of gender, age, and driving experience were controlled. A multiple regression analysis revealed that higher levels of self-reported EI abilities were related to a lower engagement in risky driving behavior, being the ability to regulate emotions the most relevant. In addition, a simple mediation analyses revealed that a better self-reported EI was associated with fewer number of road accidents through the indirect effect of risky driving behaviors. The findings of the present study suggest the involvement of emotional factors and abilities in the explanation of risk-taking in driving. In this regard, training programs designed to improve emotional abilities could be a useful strategy in road safety; however, further experimental studies are still needed to confirm the causal role of EI on risky driving.
YR 2023
FD 2023-05-28
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26944
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26944
LA eng
NO This work has been funded by Junta de Andalucía (EMERGIA20_00056) and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (FPU18/00610). Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 21 ene 2026