C. Bingham Resources

Bingham, C., & Shope, J. (2004, March). Adolescent problem behavior and problem driving in young adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Research.

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among people under the age of 35. This constitutes a major public health concern that society needs to address. In order to have an effective intervention strategy, we must first know the factors that contribute to the problem.   In this article, Bingham and Shope found that  “Risky driving behaviors are found to be predicted by little parental monitoring, substance, use, and weak ties to social institutions.”

 

 

 

DESIGN

 

 

This study tracked a group of 1,845 young men and women  who had Michigan driver’s licenses, each of whom was given a survey during their tenth grade year (around age 16) and then again at age 23. The assessment measured such aspects as their use of substances, feelings about their parents, driving habits, and accident history.

 

 

 

FINDINGS

 

 

Two major findings emerged from this study:

·          Parental permissiveness and low levels of monitoring were linked indirectly to the prediction of problem driving behavior.

·          Young men reported more problem driving, less substance abuse (except for marijuana), lower parental monitoring, and poorer school performance than women.

 

 

CONCLUSIONS

 

 

1.       Inexperience, anger, depression, thrill-seeking, personality factors, and the use of drugs all contribute to problem driving.

 

2.       Weak social bonds with family, school, community, and religious groups make it more likely for teens to break social rules such as problem driving.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS FOR RELECTION AND DISCUSSION

 

 

        1.      Have you personally experienced the effects of dangerous driving among adolescents and young adults?  
                Do you know anyone who engages in such behavior?  Have you seen people hurt by such driving?

 

 

        2.      Why do you think that risky behaviors such as driving dangerously is such an attraction for some people?

 

 

3.       Why do you think that the listed predictors of such behavior (such as low parental monitoring or substance use) affects the way one drives?  What other behaviors might be results of these things?

4.       What can we do about this?  If accidents are taking so many lives, what can society do about it?  What can I do about it personally? 

 

 

 

IMPLICATIONS

 

Teens will experiment with worldviews and behaviors as part of their increasing independence. Youth ministry can help provide strong social bonds and positive avenues for exploration that would decrease chances of life-threatening behaviors such as problem driving.

 

 

Jessica Teague cCYS