A comparison of the psychosocial characteristics of alcoholics responsible for impaired and nonimpaired collisions

Abstract

In this study, the psychosocial characteristics of male alcoholics with different collision records were examined. Male hospitalized alcoholics were divided into three groups: (1) collision-free drivers, (2) those responsible for collision(s) in which they were impaired by alcohol, and (3) those responsible for collision(s) in which they were not impaired by alcohol. People in each of the three groups were compared. People responsible for impaired collisions were significantly lower in socioeconomic status, drove while impaired with more dangerous styles of driving, and had more disrespect for authorities than the noncollision group. By contrast, those responsible for nonimpaired collisions possessed a variety of personality characteristics that distinguished them from people with no collisons. Specifically, those with nonimpaired collisions were significantly less responsible, more impulsive, more depressed, more aggressive, and experienced more undesirable life events than people without collisions. The results are suggestive that male alcoholics with impaired collisions might have differences from those people with nonimpaired collisions that enhance their driving risk.