Social and Psychological Factors of Drinking and Driving In China:An Empirical Investigation

摘要

Reducing the incidents of alcohol-impaired driving has recently become essential for public safety in China. This study investigates the influence of social-psychological factors on the intention to drink and drive among college students. Participants consisted of 562 Chinese undergraduate students who completed a paper-and-pencil survey in 2010. Regression results revealed that a favorable attitude toward drinking and driving was the strongest predictor of intention. Behavioral control over not drinking and driving and frequency of interpersonal communication on negative effects of alcohol-impaired driving reduced the level of intention. Both injunctive norms (approval of drinking and driving from peers) and descriptive norms (prevalence of drinking and driving behavior among peers) were positively related to intention. Injunctive norms, however, had a stronger influence on intention than the descriptive norms. Health consequences resulting from alcohol-impaired driving negatively affected intention whereas legal consequences were not associated with intention. This study offers important findings for policy-making and health campaign on the issue of drinking and driving in China.