The relation between driving cognitions and driving phobia: The moderating role of emotional regulation strategies

Abstract

This study evaluated the relation between driving cognitions (i.e. panic, accidents, and social related cognitions) and driving phobia (driving fear and driving avoidance). We also investigated the moderating role of emotional regulation strategies (i.e. expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal) in the relation between driving cognitions and driving phobia. A sample of 1401 drivers took part in this study (51.8 % men, Mage = 34.76, SD = 11.76). The participants completed scales measuring driving cognitions, emotional regulation strategies, and driving phobia, as well as demographic information. The results showed that driving cognitions are positively associated with driving fear and driving avoidance. Further, our results revealed positive relations between expressive suppression and driving fear, as well as between cognitive reappraisal and driving avoidance. Moreover, driving related cognitions interacted with emotional regulation strategies in predicting driving fear. The implications of these results for interventions and future research are discussed.