Guidance on Messaging to Avoid Psychological Reactance and Address Moral Disengagement

US Transportation Collectionhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15183172021PDFTech ReportOtto, JayFinley, KariMcMahill, AnnmarieArpin, JamieMontana State University (Bozeman, Mont.). Center for Health and Safety CultureWestern Transportation InstituteMontana Department of TransportationUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway AdministrationCalifornia Department of TransportationConnecticut. Department of TransportationIdaho Transportation DepartmentIllinois. Department of TransportationIndiana. Dept. of TransportationIowa. Department of TransportationLouisiana. Department of Transportation and DevelopmentNevada. Department of TransportationTexas. Dept. of TransportationUtah. Dept. of TransportationVermont Agency of TransportationWashington State Department of TransportationMontana. Department of TransportationUnited StatesEvaluation and assessmentSafetySafety analysisSafety campaignsSafety cultureAggressionBehaviorDemographicsHigh risk driversMessages (Communications)Psychological aspectsRisk takingSeat belt useSpeedingSurveysTraffic safetyDriver performanceCorrelation analysisDrivingSocial psychologyPassingEmotionsFHWA/MT-21-007/8882-309-1508882-309-15Final Report (January 2019 \u2013 July 2021)The purpose of this project was to determine if the prevalence of psychological reactance and moral disengagement are higher among adult drivers who never or rarely wear their seat belts or who drive aggressively (i.e., speed, follow too closely, and pass excessively) and to identify potential messaging to minimize reactance and overcome moral disengagement regarding seat belt use and aggressive driving. Surveys revealed that those who rarely or never used a seat belt were found to exhibit more situational psychological reactance (in response to two messages about seat belt use) and exhibit more moral disengagement than people who usually or always used a seat belt. No differences in proneness to psychological reactance were found based on seat belt use. Those who frequently drove aggressively were found to exhibit more proneness and situational psychological reactance and exhibit more moral disengagement than people who rarely or never drove aggressively. Recommendations for message content to increase seatbelt use and reduce aggressive driving are provided as well as guidance on message components that reduce psychological reactance and moral disengagement. Supportive materials developed included two information sheets, one message brief, presentation slides, and a summary poster.120