Driving through anxiety: Key findings on effective support and help-seeking trends
Dr Amanda Stephens has published a paper examining how individuals with driving anxiety seek help and which types of support they find most effective. This work was part of a collaboration with the University of Gustave Eiffel, France.
Analysing responses from 1,314 drivers in Australia who experience some level of driving anxiety, the study explored the types of help anxious drivers seek. Participants also reported how beneficial different types of help were. The importance of family support, driver training, and vehicle technology in managing driving-related anxiety was highlighted.
When severe, driving anxiety can impact a person’s independence, leading to changes in driving habits or even stopping driving altogether. This can have knock-on effects on perceived quality of life and work. Therefore understanding barriers to seeking support is important.
Participants were surveyed about their anxiety levels, the onset of their anxiety, feelings of shame, perceived driving skills, and help-seeking behaviours. Most, of the anxious drivers (55%) were actively seeking help, 22% intended to seek help, and another 22% had no plans to do so.
The findings suggest that men with low levels of anxiety, often linked to traffic issues, are less likely to seek help compared to those with more generalised anxiety. Effective support avenues include encouragement from family and friends, additional driver training focused on anxiety management, and advancements in vehicle technology designed to alleviate driving anxiety.
This study offers valuable insights into how to better support individuals who experience driving anxiety and improve their driving experiences. Read the paper here.