This paper presents research to show that driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and risky driving more generally are elements in a larger organization of problem behaviour, a pattern of behaviour that can be considered a lifestyle. The research also shows that variation in drinking-driving and risky driving can be accounted for significantly by psychosocial variables drawn from Problem-Behaviour Theory. Three studies of youth and young adults are reported. In the study of young adults, multiple correlations (Rs) between the psychosocial measures and DUI reached .64 for the men and .54 for the women, both significant at p equal to or less than .001. Comparable multiple correlations of .52 and .43 were obtained in a study of male and female high school students. The implications of this perspective and these findings for prevention/intervention efforts are noted. (A)
Samenvatting