Spanish adaptation and validation of the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI).

The Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI) is a widely used questionnaire that measures the tendency to drive dangerously on the road through three different types of behaviors: aggressive driving, risky driving, and experiencing negative emotions while driving. This study aimed to develop a Spanish version of the DDDI and verify the reliability and validity of this questionnaire in the Spanish population. A community sample of 2174 Spanish participants (51.1% male; age range: 18-79 years) completed the 28-item Spanish version of the DDDI. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a three-factor model fitted adequately to the data. Analysis of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity showed that the Spanish adaptation of the DDDI had good psychometric properties and retains the theoretical consistency of the original scale. Gender and age differences were observed. The Spanish version of the DDDI can be considered a good instrument for assessing dangerous driving behavior, thus contributing to the cross-cultural study of these types of behaviors and the possible development of intervention programs aimed at reducing road traffic accidents.

Differential Impact of Emotional and Contextual Factors Associated with COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health.

Background: During the confinement, there was an increase in the incidence of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. In this regard, affectivity is of particular interest, as emotions play a fundamental role in overall mental health. The literature on COVID-19 in this population has often focused on the analysis of risk factors for mental health, while less attention has been paid to protective factors. In this paper, we propose an inclusive model of risk and protective factors for adolescent mental health through the indirect effect of negative and positive affect. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a Spanish community sample of 477 adolescents (Mage = 16.23, range:14 to 20 years old; 43.4% were boys; response rate: 100%). We measured the perceived hardness of confinement, worrying about contagion, quality of relationships at home, pleasant activities, affect (positive and negative), and mental health. Results: The results revealed a positive relationship between the perceived hardness of confinement and worrying about contagion with mental health, through the indirect effect of negative affect, and a positive relationship between home relationships and pleasant activities with mental health through an indirect effect of positive affect. Conclusion: Our results suggest that different types of emotions generated by the various contextual variables associated with COVID-19 may have a differential impact on mental health. These findings support the inclusive model of risk and protective factors for adolescent mental health. Practical implications, future studies, and limitations are discussed.

Impulsivity and sensitivity to reward as mediating factors of the negative relationship between emotional intelligence and health-related risk-taking: evidence from a sample of university students.

BACKGROUND: Better abilities in emotional intelligence (EI) have been linked to a decreased tendency to engage in health-related risk behaviour. However, the processes underlying this relationship are still unclear. The aim of this research was to examine the role of impulsivity and sensitivity to reward as mediating factors in the relationship between EI and health risk-taking. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty participants (Mage = 23.60, age range = 18-59; SD = 6.67; 71.60% women) were assessed on ability EI levels, risk-taking in health contexts, impulsivity, and sensitivity to reward. Unlike previous studies in the literature, we employed a performance-based ability measure to assess EI (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, MSCEIT). RESULTS: The results confirmed the negative relationship between EI and health risk-taking and revealed the existence of a significant negative indirect effect of EI on health-risk taking through various dimensions of impulsivity and sensitivity to reward. EI abilities -particularly the ability to manage emotions- were associated with lower levels of impulsivity under positive and negative emotional states, a better management of the tendency towards sensation seeking, and a decreased emotional reactivity to rewards. CONCLUSIONS: The present research provides a better understanding of the processes underlying the negative relationship between EI and health risk-taking. Our findings suggest that having higher levels of EI abilities would allow for a more objective evaluation of risk scenarios and a more appropriate and safer decision making through its influence on the levels of impulsivity and emotional reactivity to rewards. Practical implications, limitations, and future lines of research are discussed.

The relationship between self-reported ability emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour: Consequences for accident and traffic ticket rate.

Road safety represents one of the main public health issues worldwide, and risky driving behaviour is one of the most predominant factors in traffic road accidents. The primary objective of this research was to clarify the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) abilities and the probability of engaging in risky behaviour during driving. Previous literature linking these constructs is limited, and research has yielded mixed findings. In the present study, 555 drivers from a Spanish community sample (Mage = 39.34, ranging from 18 to 79 years old; 49.19% women) were assessed on risky driving behaviour using the Dula Dangerous Driving Index while self-reported ability EI was measured using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Gender, age, and driving experience were controlled. The results of this study revealed that a higher self-reported ability EI, particularly the ability to regulate emotions, was related to a lower tendency to engage in risky driving behaviours. In turn, self-reported ability EI was negatively and indirectly related to the number of road accidents and traffic tickets through the mediating effect of risky driving. The regulation of emotions (via direct and indirect effect) and the appraisal of the emotions of others (via direct effect) were the EI abilities that better predicted the number of accidents and traffic tickets. We discuss the practical implications of these findings, along with suggested future lines of research.

Emotional Intelligence and Risk Behaviour: A Risk Domain-Dependent Relationship.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that emotions exert a strong influence on risk decision-making. Despite this, the literature studying the role of emotional intelligence (EI) on the tendency to engage in risky behaviour is scarce, and the results appear to be inconclusive. The present study delves into the relationship between EI and risk behaviour through various risk contexts (Ethical, Health, Financial, Social, and Recreational domains). We also examined whether this relationship is age and gender-dependent. METHOD: A Spanish sample of 1435 participants (Mage = 29.84, from 18 to 70; 61.9% women) was assessed for levels of EI and risk-taking by the TMMS and DOSPERT scales. RESULTS: The results revealed that EI was negatively related to risk behaviour in the Ethical and Health domains and positively related to the Social and Recreational domains. Moreover, we confirmed the influence of gender and age on both EI and risk behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: EI is differentially related to risk behaviour depending on the risk domain studied, supporting the idea that risk is a domain-specific construct. We suggest that higher levels of EI could be adaptive for risk behaviour regardless of the direction of the relationship. Practical implications and future lines of research are discussed.

Evidence on the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Risk Behavior: A Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review.

The aim of the present study was to carry out a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the existing literature studying the relationship between emotional intelligence and risk behavior. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the scientific evidence available relating both constructs. Particular attention was paid to identifying possible differences in this relationship as a function of the different conceptualizations of EI and the risk domain. The study was conducted following the Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. Our results revealed a significant negative relationship between EI and health-related risk behaviors. However, this relationship was not observed in other risk domains such as finance and gambling. The relationship between EI and risk behavior differed according to the risk domain studied, which supports the notion that risk is a domain-specific construct. The results associated with the health-related risk behaviors are consistent with existing literature about the positive impact of emotional abilities on the health domain. A more complete understanding of the emotional mechanisms that underlie risk behavior could help to establish action guidelines and improve programmes to prevent and reduce the negative effects of risk behavior on our society.

Emotional Intelligence and Risk Behaviour: A Risk Domain-Dependent Relationship / Inteligencia Emocional y Comportamiento de Riesgo: una Relación Dependiente del Dominio de Riesgo

Background: It is widely accepted that emotions exert a strong influence on risk decision-making. Despite this, the literature studying the role of emotional intelligence (EI) on the tendency to engage in risky behaviour is scarce, and the results appear to be inconclusive. The present study delves into the relationship between EI and risk behaviour through various risk contexts (Ethical, Health, Financial, Social, and Recreational domains). We also examined whether this relationship is age and gender-dependent. Method: A Spanish sample of 1435 participants (Mage = 29.84, from 18 to 70; 61.9% women) was assessed for levels of EI and risk-taking by the TMMS and DOSPERT scales. Results: The results revealed that EI was negatively related to risk behaviour in the Ethical and Health domains and positively related to the Social and Recreational domains. Moreover, we confirmed the influence of gender and age on both EI and risk behaviour. Conclusions: EI is differentially related to risk behaviour depending on the risk domain studied, supporting the idea that risk is a domain-specific construct. We suggest that higher levels of EI could be adaptive for risk behaviour regardless of the direction of the relationship. Practical implications and future lines of research are discussed.(AU)

Antecedentes: Las emociones ejercen una fuerte influencia en la toma de riesgos. Sin embargo, la literatura que estudia el rol de la inteligencia emocional (IE) en la tendencia a comprometerse con el riesgo es escasa e inconcluyente. Este trabajo profundiza en la relación entre la IE y el comportamiento de riesgo en diferentes contextos (Ético, Financiero, Salud, Social y Recreativo). Además, examinamos si estas relaciones dependen de la edad y del género. Método: Una muestra española de 1435 participantes (Medad = 29.84, entre 18 y 70 años; 61.9% mujeres) fue evaluada con las escalas TMMS y DOSPERT. Resultados: La IE se relacionó negativamente con el comportamiento de riesgo en los dominios Ético y de Salud y positivamente en los dominios Social y Recreativo. Además, la influencia del género y la edad sobre los niveles de IE y comportamiento de riesgo fue confirmada. Conclusiones: La relación entre la IE y el comportamiento de riesgo depende del contexto de riesgo, apoyando la idea de que el riesgo es un constructo específico de dominio. Sugerimos que niveles altos de IE podrían ser adaptativos independientemente del dominio de riesgo. Implicaciones prácticas y futuras líneas de investigación son discutidas.(AU)

Psychopathic traits and ability emotional intelligence in incarcerated males / Los rasgos psicopáticos y la inteligencia emocional como habilidad en hombres encarcelados

Recent years have seen a growing interest in studying the factors that could help reduce the negative consequences of psychopathic traits, such as violence or criminal acts, given the effect these have on our society. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ability emotional intelligence (EI) and psychopathic traits in a sample of incarcerated men. In total, 63 incarcerated adult males (Mage = 37.51) completed the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and the 34-item Self-Report Psychopathy Scale-III (SRP-III). Comparisons using t-tests revealed that our sample showed significantly higher psychopathic traits and lower ability EI in comparison with nonincarcerated samples. Correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between EI total score and the callous affect sub-dimension of psychopathy. Moreover, mediation analyses supported the existence of an indirect effect of EI total score on the psychopathy sub-dimensions of erratic lifestyle, criminal tendencies and interpersonal manipulation through the mediation effect of callous affect. These findings could help to inform the design of prevention and intervention programs implemented in penitentiary centers, which could have important implications for reducing antisocial and disruptive behaviours and improving possible future reintegration into society. (AU)

En los últimos años se ha observado un creciente interés por estudiar los factores que podrían ayudar a reducir las consecuencias negativas asociadas a los rasgos psicopáticos, como la violencia o los actos delictivos, dado el efecto que tienen en nuestra sociedad. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la relación entre la inteligencia emocional (IE) como habilidad y los rasgos psicopáticos en una muestra de hombres encarcelados. En total, 63 varones adultos encarcelados (Medad = 37,51) completaron la Prueba de Inteligencia Emocional de Mayer-Salovey-Caruso (MSCEIT) y la Escala de Psicopatía autoinformada-III de 34 ítems (SRP-III). Los análisis comparativos utilizando pruebas t revelaron que nuestra muestra de hombres encarcelados mostraba niveles de rasgos psicopáticos significativamente más altos y una menor IE en comparación con otras muestras de hombres no encarcelados. Los análisis de correlación mostraron una relación negativa entre la puntuación total de IE y la sub-dimensión de afecto insensible de la psicopatía. Además, los análisis de mediación avalan la existencia de un efecto indirecto de la puntuación total de IE sobre las subdimensiones de psicopatía del estilo de vida errático, las tendencias delictivas y la manipulación interpersonal a través del efecto mediador del afecto insensible. Estos resultados pueden ser de interés para el diseño de los programas de prevención e intervención implementados en los centros penitenciarios, pudiendo tener importantes implicaciones en la reducción de las conductas antisociales y problemáticas y mejorar la futura reintegración de la población presidiaria en la sociedad. (AU)