Self-concept as a risky driver: Mediating the relationship between racing video games and on-road driving violations in a community-based sample

Purpose: The mediating relationship of self-conceptions as a risky driver on self-reported driving violations was examined for players of "drive'em up" and "circuit" racing video games using an Internet survey of automobile and racing club members. Structural equation modelling (SEM) tested Fischer et al. (2012) extended socio-cognitive model on the effects of risk-glorifying media on cognitions and actions. Method: An Internet questionnaire was developed and relied upon validated instruments or questions derived from previous surveys. Driver club members were asked about: (1) their frequency of video game playing, (2) self-perceptions as a risky driver and (3) self reported driving violations. SEM was performed to examine mediating effects of racing video game playing on self-reported driving violations. Results: Playing "drive'em up" video games positively predicted risky self-concept (beta =.15, t = 2.26), which in turn, positively predicted driving violations (beta =.73, t = 8.63), while playing "circuit racing" games did not predict risky self-concept, although risky self-concept did predict driving violations (beta =.72, t = 8.67). Conclusions: Self-concept as a risky driver mediated the relationship between racing video game playing and self-reported driving violations for "drive'em up", but not for "circuit racing" video games. These findings are congruent with Fischer and colleagues' experimental model that self-concept as a reckless driver mediated the relationship between racing video game playing for "drive'em up", but not for "circuit racing" games and risk-taking behavior in a video of road traffic scenarios. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved