Relationship of Aggression, Negative Affect, Substance Use Problems & Childhood Delinquency to DWI Recidivism
BACKGROUND:
Driving
under the influence remains a pervasive problem. Approximately 30% of those
arrested for impaired driving offenses each year are repeat offenders,
suggesting that current rehabilitative efforts are not sufficiently effective
for reducing driving while intoxicated (DWI) recidivism. Aggression, negative
affect, substance use problems, and childhood delinquency have been noted in
the population of impaired drivers, but study of these variables on recidivism
has been limited.
OBJECTIVES:
The
aim of the current study was to examine the effects of aggression, negative
affect, substance use problems, and childhood delinquency on DWI recidivism
among first time offenders.
METHODS:
In 1992,
6436 individuals in impaired driver programs in New York State were surveyed. A
total of 3511 individuals provided names so that state driver abstracts could
be reviewed in the future. A total of 2043 matches were found and 1770 remained
after excluding those with previous DWI convictions. Driver records were
reviewed in 2010 and 2012, providing between 18 and 20 years of follow-up.
RESULTS:
During
the follow-up period, 16.5% of individuals were arrested for an impaired
driving offense. Multivariate analysis suggested that recidivism was a function
of several problems, including: alcohol problem severity, aggression, negative
affect, drug problem severity, criminal history, and childhood delinquency.
CONCLUSION:
Impaired
driving programs should assess for childhood delinquency, aggressive
tendencies, and negative affect as these constructs, along with substance use,
are evident among impaired drivers who recidivate. Interventions addressing
aggression and negative affect may ultimately prove useful in reducing
recidivism.
- 1 School of Social Work , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Amherst , NY , USA.
- 2 Buffalo State College , Buffalo , NY , USA.
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