The relationship between mental health and driving behaviors in Tehran: the role of mediator Mindfulness

Driving violations has always been one of the causes of occurring problems, difficulties and traffic accidents in all societies. Given that the main cause of accidents is known due to human error. Investigating driving behaviors and the factors affecting it can play an important role in reducing the risk. Accordingly, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of mindfulness about the relationship between mental health and drivers driving behaviors in Tehran. The target community is composed of all drivers in Tehran city and 202 individuals are selected as sample using available sampling method and responded to Goldberg and Hiller's general health questionnaire (1972), Brown's and Ryan's mindfulness (2003) and Manchester's driving behavior (1990). The results were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Structural equation modeling method was used to examine the model. The results of the model analysis by AMOS software showed that the proposed model is fitted with the data and the mindfulness variable has a complete mediator role between mental health and driving behaviors. That is, the mindfulness structure can explain the relationship between individual differences in mental health with driving behaviors.  According to the findings of the research, mindfulness structure can be used to explain the relationship between individual differences in mental health and driving behaviors. Mental health assessments are made when a driver's license is issued to improve driving conditions and reduce accidents as well as mindfulness training is to be considered for vulnerable people to drive errors.