DRIVING ANGER

138 Pages·2017·1.55 MB·English

by  Melissa Esterhuyse

DRIVING ANGER: THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY ATTRIBUTES,
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, GENDER AND AGE
Melissa Esterhuyse
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Commerce (Industrial Psychology) in the Faculty of Economic
and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University
Supervisor: Dr Billy Boonzaier
March 2017
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DECLARATION
By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein
is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly
otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not
infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted
it for obtaining any qualification.
Signed: Melissa Esterhuyse
Date: March 2017
Copyright @ 2017 Stellenbosch University
All rights reserved
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ABSTRACT

It is stated that, in South Africa, 90% of accidents can be blamed on human error (Venter,
2010). Furthermore, the same study shows that only between 3% and 5% of traffic accidents
could be blamed on the environment in which the individual is travelling, and another small
percentage of accidents can be attributed to flaws of the vehicle.
Driving anger can be defined as the propensity to become angry while driving, an individual
characteristic unique to every driver (Deffenbacher, Deffenbacher, Lynch & Richards, 2003).
Research shows that high driving anger is related to risky driving behaviours, such as fast
driving, reckless manoeuvers and violations of traffic laws (Sarbescu, Costea & Rusu, 2012;
Villieux & Delhomme, 2010). The study of driving anger includes the way an individual
experiences or deals with anger. Hence, driving anger is assumed to form part of internal factors
(driver characteristics) impacting a larger, more complex system. This complex system consists
of external and internal factors working together that consequently influence each other and
traffic safety (i.e. traffic outcomes and consequences).
The main objective of this study was to develop a structural model, based on the current
literature, which explains the antecedents of driving anger, and to empirically test this structural
model. The antecedents comprise personality attributes (agreeableness, conscientiousness,
neuroticism, openness to experience and extraversion), emotional intelligence, gender and age,
and the impact that these factors have on driving anger.
An ex post facto correlational design was used to test the hypotheses formulated specifically
for the purpose of the current research study. Convenience sampling (as well as elements of
stratified random sampling) was used to select a sample. Quantitative data was collected from
a total of 199 drivers; 50 professional and 149 non-professional drivers. An online electronic
survey was distributed to Pepkor and Lube Marketing employees, amongst others using social
media and networking strategies. The following measurement instruments were used: (1) the
International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) (Dahlen & White, 2006), (2) the Schutte Emotional
Intelligence Scale (SEIS) (Davies, Lane, Devonport & Scott, 2010), and (3) the Driving Anger
Scale (DAS) (Deffenbacher, Oetting & Lynch, 1994). Gender and age were measured via
biographical questions asked in the survey. Item analysis, partial least squares (PLS) and
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multiple regression analysis were conducted to analyse the data that was collected and also to
report on the nature of the paths.
From the 18 hypotheses formulated in the study, one was found to be statistically significant,
namely, the relationship between neuroticism and driving anger. This implies that those high
in neuroticism are most likely to experience driving anger. It is important to note that, of the
statistically insignificant paths, 12 were related to moderating effects. These statistically
insignificant results could be due to many reasons and is discussed in the study.
The study has shed some light on the understanding of driving anger and its antecedents as
related to professional and non-professional drivers. Based on the results reported, possible
interventions for industrial psychologists and managers were suggested to foster a safe driving
culture. Furthermore, the limitations of the study and recommendations for future research
were discussed.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I want to thank our Heavenly Father for the opportunity and strength to complete this study.
Thank you for reassuring me that: “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
To Billy and Michele Boonzaier I want to thank you for your guidance and encouragement. As
mentors you challenged me to grow in so many different ways. I always felt welcome to reflect
with you – thank you.
I would like to extend my appreciation to Prof Martin Kidd – thank you for your time and patience
in the data collection and analysis process. I value your support.
To Pat, my leader at Pep, thank you for allowing me the time to work on this study, and to the
Talent Management Team – thank you for your support. It is greatly appreciated.
I would also like to thank all of the participants for taking time out to assist me with the study.
Thank you to Pep, Pepkor Logistics and Lube Marketing for cooperating in the data collection.
Next, to my parents Debbie and Stephan – I cannot express my gratitude. Mom and Dad, words
cannot thank you enough for the motivation, love and financial support you gave over the years.
It is thanks to you that my dreams of studying became a reality. Dad, you never once doubted my
abilities and always helped me see the positive side of all the challenges I was faced with. Mom,
you always believed in me and picked me up when I felt demotivated. I therefore dedicate this
research project to you, the most wonderful parents I could ask for. Thank you for affording me
the opportunity to do you proud.
To my sister, Reshé, friends and family – your words of encouragement, understanding and love
have been a source of strength and motivation. Thank you for showing interest in something so
close to my heart. You all have helped me along this amazing journey.
Last, but not least, to my fiancé, Westley: You have been my rock. You never once let me think
that my challenges could overcome me. You have been an inspiration to me and I could never
thank you enough for the love and support you have given me.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix
CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................... 1
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ............................................................................................... 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1
1.2 DRIVER BEHAVIOUR .................................................................................................. 3
1.3 DRIVER ANGER WITHIN A DRIVER BEHAVIOUR MODEL ................................. 5
1.3.1 Level 1: Individual characteristics of other road users ............................................. 6
1.3.2 Level 2: Organisational and community factors ....................................................... 7
1.3.3 Level 3: National level .............................................................................................. 8
1.3.4 Level 4: Economy and culture .................................................................................. 9
1.3.5 Internal factors ........................................................................................................ 10
1.4 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY ................................................................................... 11
1.5 RESEARCH-INITIATING QUESTION ....................................................................... 14
1.6 OBJECTIVES AND AIM OF THE STUDY ................................................................. 14
1.7 DELIMITATIONS ......................................................................................................... 14
1.8 OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH STUDY ................................................................... 15
CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................. 16
LITERATURE STUDY................................................................................................................ 16
2.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 16
2.2 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS RELATED TO DRIVING ANGER ................ 16
2.3 PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS AND DRIVING ANGER .............................................. 19
2.4 RELEVANT LATENT VARIABLES ........................................................................... 22
2.4.1 Personality............................................................................................................... 22
2.4.2 Emotional intelligence ............................................................................................ 28
2.4.3 Gender ..................................................................................................................... 32
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2.4.4 Age .......................................................................................................................... 34
2.4.5 Driving anger .......................................................................................................... 35
2.4.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 37
2.5 RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LATENT VARIABLES ............................................. 38
2.5.1 Personality attributes and driving anger ................................................................. 38
2.5.2 Emotional intelligence and driving anger ............................................................... 42
2.5.3 Moderator variables: gender and age ...................................................................... 44
2.5.4 Summary ................................................................................................................. 46
2.6 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF DRIVING ANGER ................. 46
2.7 CONCEPTUAL MODEL .............................................................................................. 49
2.8 CHAPTER SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 49
CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................. 51
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ........................................................................ 51
3.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 51
3.2 SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH HYPOTHESES ............................................................ 52
3.3 THE STRUCTURAL MODEL ...................................................................................... 54
3.4 STATISTICAL HYPOTHESES .................................................................................... 56
3.5 RESEARCH DESIGN ................................................................................................. ..59
3.6 RESEARCH PROCEDURE AND SAMPLING SIZE .................................................. 61
3.7 MEASURING INSTRUMENTS ................................................................................... 63
3.7.1 Big Five personality factors .................................................................................... 63
3.7.2 Emotional intelligence ............................................................................................ 65
3.7.3 Gender and age ....................................................................................................... 67
3.7.4 Driving anger .......................................................................................................... 70
3.8 MISSING VALUES ....................................................................................................... 71
3.9 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 72
3.9.1 Data analysis ................................................................................................................ 72
3.9.2 Computer package ....................................................................................................... 73
3.9.3 Item analysis ................................................................................................................ 73
3.9.4 Structural equation modelling (SEM): Partial least squares (PLS) ............................. 74
3.10 RESEARCH ETHICS ................................................................................................ 75
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3.11 CHAPTER SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 77
CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................................. 78
RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................... 78
4.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 78
4.2 VALIDATING THE MEASUREMENT MODEL ............................................................ 78
4.2.1 Item analysis ........................................................................................................... 78
4.3 PARTIAL LEAST SQUARE (PLS) ANALYSES ............................................................. 82
4.3.1 Evaluation and interpretation of the measurement model ........................................... 82
4.3.2 Evaluation and interpretation of the structural model.................................................. 89
4.4 CHAPTER SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………..98
CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................... 100
IMPLICATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ....... 100
5.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 100
5.2 PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS ....................................................................................... 101
5.2.1 General implications for professionals and non-professional drivers........................ 102
5.2.2 Implications aimed specifically at the results of the present study ............................ 103
5.2.2.1 Organisational level interventions .......................................................................... 104
5.3 LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH .............. 113
5.4 CHAPTER SUMMARY ................................................................................................... 114
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 116
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: Summary of Latent Variables…………………………………………….. ................56
Table 3.2: Biographical Information of the Sample (n = 199)…………………………………....68
Table 4.1: Means, Standard Deviations and Internal Consistency Reliabilities of Subscales…...79
Table 4.2: Reliability Statistics of the PLS Model……………………………………………….84
Table 4.3: Outer Loadings………………………………………………………………………..85
Table 4.4: R Squares Scores for the Endogenous Variable……………………………………....91
Table 4.5: Path Coefficient between Variables…………………………………………………...92
Table 4.6: P-values for Gender as Moderating Effect…………………………………………….96
Table 4.7: P-values for Age as Moderating Effect……………………………………………….97
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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1. Driver behaviour model……………………………………………………………….6
Figure 2.1. Emotional intelligence theoretical model……………………………………………31
Figure 2.2. Conceptual model……………………………………………………………………50
Figure 3.1. Structural model……………………………………………………………………..55