Nathan T Kearns1, Heidemarie Blumenthal2, Ateka A Contractor3, Elizabeth R Aston4, Jane Metrik5. 1. Brown University, School of Public Health, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, 121 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02912, USA. Electronic address: Nathan_Kearns@brown.edu. 2. University of North Texas, Department of Psychology, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX 76201, USA. Electronic address: Heidemarie.Blumenthal@unt.edu. 3. University of North Texas, Department of Psychology, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX 76201, USA. Electronic address: Ateka.Contractor@unt.edu. 4. Brown University, School of Public Health, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, 121 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02912, USA. Electronic address: Elizabeth_Aston@brown.edu. 5. Brown University, School of Public Health, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, 121 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02912, USA. Electronic address: Jane_Metrik@brown.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes are a major preventable cause of death in the United States. One potential factor that may modulate the influence of alcohol on driving-related cognitions and decision-making is trauma-related stress. Indeed, in addition to compelling research indicating that both acute trauma-related stress and acute alcohol consumption may independently affect driving-related risky decision-making, there is reason to believe that the combination of these antecedents may have an exacerbating effect. METHODS: The current study evaluated the influence of induction of acute trauma-related stress (via script-driven imagery) after alcohol consumption (0.06% Breath Alcohol Concentration [BrAC]) on driving-related cognitions - perceived likelihood of negative consequences and willingness to drive - among 25 trauma-exposed (currently symptomatic) adult drinkers from the community (M = 24.08; 36.0% female). RESULTS: Participants who were acutely exposed to trauma-related stress after alcohol consumption evidenced lower perceived likelihood of being pulled over by a police officer (ηp2 = 0.38, large effect size) and lower perceived likelihood of getting in an accident (ηp2 = 0.17, medium-to-large effect size) relative to participants exposed to a neutral cue; conversely, participants exposed to trauma-related stress after alcohol consumption evidenced greater willingness to drive (d = 1.16, large effect size) than participants exposed to a neutral cue. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, findings suggest that individuals with a trauma history that are acutely exposed to trauma-related stressors (e.g., reminders of their traumatic experience) may be particularly vulnerable to poorer driving-related decision-making after alcohol consumption. Results provide a meaningful target for the development of intoxicated driving prevention and intervention efforts geared specifically for individuals with trauma history.
BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes are a major preventable cause of death in the United States. One potential factor that may modulate the influence of alcohol on driving-related cognitions and decision-making is trauma-related stress. Indeed, in addition to compelling research indicating that both acute trauma-related stress and acute alcohol consumption may independently affect driving-related risky decision-making, there is reason to believe that the combination of these antecedents may have an exacerbating effect. METHODS: The current study evaluated the influence of induction of acute trauma-related stress (via script-driven imagery) after alcohol consumption (0.06% Breath Alcohol Concentration [BrAC]) on driving-related cognitions - perceived likelihood of negative consequences and willingness to drive - among 25 trauma-exposed (currently symptomatic) adult drinkers from the community (M = 24.08; 36.0% female). RESULTS: Participants who were acutely exposed to trauma-related stress after alcohol consumption evidenced lower perceived likelihood of being pulled over by a police officer (ηp2 = 0.38, large effect size) and lower perceived likelihood of getting in an accident (ηp2 = 0.17, medium-to-large effect size) relative to participants exposed to a neutral cue; conversely, participants exposed to trauma-related stress after alcohol consumption evidenced greater willingness to drive (d = 1.16, large effect size) than participants exposed to a neutral cue. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, findings suggest that individuals with a trauma history that are acutely exposed to trauma-related stressors (e.g., reminders of their traumatic experience) may be particularly vulnerable to poorer driving-related decision-making after alcohol consumption. Results provide a meaningful target for the development of intoxicated driving prevention and intervention efforts geared specifically for individuals with trauma history.
Authors: Patcho N Santiago; Joshua E Wilk; Charles S Milliken; Carl A Castro; Charles C Engel; Charles W Hoge Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 3.084
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