Social, Emotional, and Physical Factors Associated with Seat Belt Use

摘要

The present study extends previous research on the relationship between social,demographic, and health related characteristics and the use of seat belts. Data were collected by using a health-risk appraisal inventory and a physical fitness test that were administered to 350 participants in the Bowling Green State University 'Fitwell Program.' The findings indicate that age, income, education, and a general satisfaction with one's life are associated with the likelihood of using seat belts. The following health related variables were found to be positively related to the use of seat belts: level of physical health, physical fitness, and physical activity. In summary, the health related variables were related to the use of seat belts in the direction predicted by the theoretical assumptions. The correlations were not strong, however, and none of them was robust enough to predict as much as 10 percent of the variance in seat belt use.