Citation

Rioux SC, Wapner S. J. Environ. Psychol. 1986; 6(3): 189-204.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Academic Press)

DOI

10.1016/S0272-4944(86)80022-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Experiential factors involved in use or non-use of automobile seat belts were investigated. Intensive interviews were conducted with 30 participants (ten for each of three self-proclaimed categories, viz. non-user, variable-user and committed-user) drawn from 103 respondents of the 160 potential participants who were sent a preliminary questionnaire.

The main findings include the following: (1) committed users maintain usage through imagining accidents, fear of personal injury, memories of accidents involving significant others, perception of accidents as dependent on external circumstances, and desire to be a responsible citizen or good role model for children; (2) non-users distance themselves from an accident and/or injury by perceiving themselves as in control to avoid accidents and by psychologically minimizing the risks of personal injury; (3) variable-users have some of each of the characteristics of the other groups, with seat belt use largely dependent on situation specific variables.