Psychological consequences of trauma in MVA perpetrators - Relationship between post-traumatic growth, PTSD symptoms and individual characteristics

Authors: Merecz, D., Waszkowska, M. and Wezyk, A.

Journal: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Volume: 15

Issue: 5

Pages: 565-574

ISSN: 1369-8478

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2012.05.008

Abstract:

The study explores two problems rarely discussed in literature. Firstly, it presents the psychological consequences of traumatic stress in perpetrators of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). The attention of both clinicians and researchers is very seldom focused on this group of MVA participants, as in the natural way, people have a tendency to empathise with victims and distancing from those who make harm to others. MVA perpetrators usually feel no right to complain about experienced symptoms of poor well-being, and guilt prevent them against searching for any help. Such a situation may lead to further problems related to traffic safety, as persistent and untreated symptoms of PTSD or other anxiety disorders may negatively affect driving behaviour. Secondly, apart from post-traumatic psychopathology, the symptoms of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in MVA perpetrators together with factors related to them are analysed in the study. The examination results from the comprehensive sample of MVA perpetrators (n = 236) referred to Occupational Medicine Centres in the catchment area of Mazowieckie Voivodship, Poland, indicate that both PTSD and PTG symptoms are experienced by MVA perpetrators. The key predictors of PTG are neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness and intensity of PTSD symptoms. Moreover, sex and perpetrators' injuries during the accident seem to play a vital role in the process of post-traumatic growth. Those of subjects who were women or were injured generally declared more positive changes in their life as a consequences of the accident they caused. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: Scopus

Psychological consequences of trauma in MVA perpetrators - Relationship between post-traumatic growth, PTSD symptoms and individual characteristics

Authors: Merecz, D., Waszkowska, M. and Wezyk, A.

Journal: TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F-TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR

Volume: 15

Issue: 5

Pages: 565-574

eISSN: 1873-5517

ISSN: 1369-8478

DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2012.05.008

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Psychological consequences of trauma in MVA perpetrators – Relationship between post-traumatic growth, PTSD symptoms and individual characteristics

Authors: Merecz, D., Waszkowska, M. and Wezyk, A.

Journal: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Volume: 15

Issue: 5

Pages: 565-574

Publisher: Elsevier

ISSN: 1369-8478

Abstract:

The study explores two problems rarely discussed in literature. Firstly, it presents the psychological consequences of traumatic stress in perpetrators of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). The attention of both clinicians and researchers is very seldom focused on this group of MVA participants, as in the natural way, people have a tendency to empathise with victims and distancing from those who make harm to others. MVA perpetrators usually feel no right to complain about experienced symptoms of poor well-being, and guilt prevent them against searching for any help. Such a situation may lead to further problems related to traffic safety, as persistent and untreated symptoms of PTSD or other anxiety disorders may negatively affect driving behaviour. Secondly, apart from post-traumatic psychopathology, the symptoms of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in MVA perpetrators together with factors related to them are analysed in the study. The examination results from the comprehensive sample of MVA perpetrators (n = 236) referred to Occupational Medicine Centres in the catchment area of Mazowieckie Voivodship, Poland, indicate that both PTSD and PTG symptoms are experienced by MVA perpetrators. The key predictors of PTG are neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness and intensity of PTSD symptoms. Moreover, sex and perpetrators’ injuries during the accident seem to play a vital role in the process of post-traumatic growth. Those of subjects who were women or were injured generally declared more positive changes in their life as a consequences of the accident they caused.

Source: Manual