Mental health status of drivers – Motor vehicle accidents perpetrators

摘要

Background: This study aimed at exploring the phenomenon of motor vehicle accidents (MVA). The following research questionswere addressed: what are the immediate reactions to accidents among MVA perpetrators, do MVA perpetrators develop posttraumaticstress symptoms, and what are the differences between high and low symptomatic signs in terms of socio-demographicsand accident features? Material and Methods: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) questionnaire by Watson et al. in the Polishadaptation was applied to assess PTSD and its subclinical symptoms. The information on the MVA nature, declared MVA causes,drivers’ reactions after MVA, as well as on the age, education and history of driving in the study group was collected. The resultsof psychological examination obtained from 209 MVA perpetrators were analyzed. The examination took place at least 1 monthafter the accident. Results: In 1/3 of the study group no physiological reactions were observed directly after the accident, while46% of respondents experienced trembling and shaking and about 30% of subjects were crying or having tears in their eyes. Compassionfor the injured and victims, guilt, helplessness and fear were the most common among immediate psychological reactionsrelated to the accident. On the day of psychological examination 11.2% of drivers met diagnostic criteria for PTSD accordingto the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV). Drivers showing low and high PTSDsymptoms did not differ in terms of age, education, and subjective perception of accident cause. Women were significantly overrepresentedit the group meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate the need to carryon systematic screening for mental health problems in drivers involved in serious MVA as a part of strategy for improving roadsafety. Med Pr 2015;66(4):525–538