Aggressive and unsafe driving in male veterans receiving residential treatment for PTSD

J Trauma Stress. 2010 Jun;23(3):399-402. doi: 10.1002/jts.20536.

Abstract

Aggressive and unsafe driving was examined in 474 male veterans receiving Veterans Affairs residential treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the authors evaluated if PTSD was associated with aggressive and unsafe driving and if Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans were at higher risk than other war veterans. Approximately two thirds of the sample reported lifetime aggressive driving and one third reported current aggressive driving. Posttraumatic stress disorder severity was associated with aggressive driving, but not other forms of unsafe driving. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans endorsed higher rates of and more frequent aggressive driving than did other veterans. After accounting for PTSD severity, age, income, and marital status being an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran predicted aggressive driving frequency and infrequent seatbelt use.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afghan Campaign 2001-
  • Aggression*
  • Automobile Driving / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Veterans / psychology*