A Longitudinal Survey Exploring the Psychological Determinants of Concealed Smartphone Use While Driving: Insights from an Expanding Theory of Planned Behavior
Source abstract
Abstract
Concealed smartphone use while driving (CSUWD), a prevalent and covert form of distracted driving, poses significant threats to road safety. However, the psychological determinants underlying this illegal behavior remain underexplored. A two-wave longitudinal study based on the expanding theory of planned behavior (TPB) investigates the intention and prospective behavior of CSUWD in China. In the first wave, 256 respondents assessed the standard TPB constructs, alongside extended constructs of descriptive norms, moral norms, and perceived risks. Subsequently, 156 participants reported their actual behavior in the second wave. Hierarchical multiple regression results revealed that the traditional TPB variables accounted for 57.1% of intention variance and 45.2% of behavior variance, while extended variables contributed an additional 11.7% to intention variance. All variables, except perceived crash risk, emerged as significant determinants of intention. Notably, the perceived risk of being caught and fined inversely correlated with intention, suggesting a potential disinhibition effect. Both perceived behavioral control and intention were significant determinants of subsequent behavior. The findings underscore the validity of TPB in predicting CSUWD, informing the design of non-legal interventions (e.g., public education advertisement, road awareness campaigns, and technological interventions) to mitigate CSUWD-related distracted driving and promote sustainable transportation systems.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Behavioral Health and Interventions · Media Influence and Health · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Sustainable Transportation Team, School of Arts, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Department of Industrial Design, School of Design, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Funding
the Key Research Base of Philosophy and Social Sciences in Sichuan Province · Youth Project of Jiangsu Provincial Social Science Foundation · General Project of Humanities and Social Sciences Research of the Ministry of Education of China · General Project of Art Studies, National Social Science Foundation of China
References (51)
Show source-provided references
1. Gauld, C.S., Lewis, I., and White, K.M. (2013, January 6–8). Identifying the determinants of concealed and obvious texting while driving: Are they distinct behaviours?. In Proceedings of Australasian College of Road Safety Conference, Adelaide, Australia.
2. Concealed texting while driving: What are young people’s beliefs about this risky behaviour?10.1016/j.ssci.2013.12.017 ↗
3. Concealing their communication: Exploring psychosocial predictors of young drivers’ intentions and engagement in concealed texting10.1016/j.aap.2013.10.016 ↗
4. Smartphone use among young drivers: Applying an extended theory of planned behaviour to predict young drivers’ intention and engagement in concealed responding10.1016/j.aap.2021.106474 ↗
5. Effects of display position of a visual in-vehicle task on simulated driving10.1016/j.apergo.2005.06.002 ↗
6. Kujala, T., Grahn, H., and Holmstedt, N. (2015, January 22–24). Hand-held texting is less distracting than texting with the phone in a holder: Anyway, don’t do it. Proceedings of the 19th International Academic MindTrek Conference, Tampere, Finland.10.1145/2818187.2818270 ↗
7. Systematic review of observational studies on secondary task engagement while driving10.1016/j.aap.2018.07.017 ↗
8. Changes in the sources of distracted driving among Northern Virginia drivers in 2014 and 2018: A comparison of results from two roadside observation surveys10.1016/j.jsr.2018.12.004 ↗
9. Mobile phone use while driving-literary review10.1016/j.trf.2017.04.015 ↗
10. Challenges of enforcing cell phone use while driving laws among police: A qualitative study10.1136/injuryprev-2018-042931 ↗
11. Oviedo-Trespalacios, O., King, M., Haque, M.M., and Washington, S. (2017). Risk factors of mobile phone use while driving in Queensland: Prevalence, attitudes, crash risk perception, and task-management strategies. PLoS ONE, 12.10.1371/journal.pone.0183361 ↗
12. Getting away with texting: Behavioural adaptation of drivers engaging in visual-manual tasks while driving10.1016/j.tra.2018.05.006 ↗
13. Sanctions or crashes? A mixed-method study of factors influencing general and concealed mobile phone use while driving10.1016/j.ssci.2020.105119 ↗
14. Zhong, Q., Zhi, J., Xu, Y., Gao, P., and Feng, S. (2024). Applying an extended theory of planned behavior to predict young drivers’ in-vehicle information system (IVIS) use intention and behavior while driving: A longitudinal two-wave survey. Sustainability, 16.10.3390/su16208908 ↗
15. Alnawmasi, N. (2024, January 18–22). A statistical assessment of effectiveness of detection cameras on handheld phone use while driving. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sustainability: Developments and Innovations, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.10.1007/978-981-97-8712-8_31 ↗
16. Insights into targeting young male drivers with anti-speeding advertising: An application of the Step approach to Message Design and Testing (SatMDT)10.1016/j.aap.2017.04.004 ↗
17. The Step approach to Message Design and Testing (SatMDT): A conceptual framework to guide the development and evaluation of persuasive health messages10.1016/j.aap.2015.07.019 ↗
18. Exploring the Behaviour Change Wheel and the Theoretical Domains Framework in interventions for mobile phone driver distraction: A scoping review10.1016/j.aap.2023.107369 ↗
19. The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions10.1002/hbe2.195 ↗
20. The theory of planned behaviour: Reactions and reflections10.1080/08870446.2011.613995 ↗
21. Why do drivers continue driving while fatigued? An application of the theory of planned behaviour10.1016/j.tra.2017.02.003 ↗
22. Factors associated with speeding behavior: Literature review and meta-analysis10.1016/j.trf.2024.10.010 ↗
23. The Theory of Planned Behavior and driving under the influence of alcohol: A scoping review
24. Mobile phone use among truck drivers: The application and extension of the theory of planned behavior10.1016/j.aap.2022.106894 ↗
25. Efficacy of the theory of planned behavior: A meta analytic review10.1348/014466601164939 ↗
26. Self-reported engagement in driver distraction: An application of the theory of planned behaviour10.1016/j.trf.2016.02.003 ↗
27. What drives technology-based distractions? A structural equation model on social-psychological factors of technology-based driver distraction engagement10.1016/j.aap.2015.08.015 ↗
28. Y TXT N DRIVE? Predictors of texting while driving among a sample of Ontario youth and young adults10.1016/j.aap.2018.10.021 ↗
29. Perceived risk and anticipated regret as factors predicting intentions to text while driving among young adults10.1016/j.trf.2019.01.014 ↗
30. The impact of descriptive and injunctive norms on engagement in mobile phone use while driving in young drivers: A systematic review10.1016/j.aap.2022.106774 ↗
31. Texting while driving: Psychosocial influences on young people’s texting intentions and behaviour10.1016/j.aap.2010.01.019 ↗
32. Smartphone use while driving: What factors predict young drivers’ intentions to initiate, read, and respond to social interactive technology?10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.023 ↗
33. The role of legal and moral norms to regulate the behavior of texting while driving10.1016/j.trf.2017.11.004 ↗
34. Factors related to cell phone use while driving based on the theory of planned behavior among university students in Kerman, Iran
35. Psychological predictors of texting while driving among university students10.1016/j.trf.2015.07.023 ↗
36. Factors influencing intentions to text while driving among Polish drivers10.1016/j.trf.2018.03.015 ↗
37. Predicting intentions to text and call while driving using the theory of planned behaviour10.1016/j.trf.2018.05.002 ↗
38. Factors affecting behavior of mobile phone use while driving and effect of mobile phone use on driving performance10.1016/j.aap.2020.105945 ↗
39. Can’t text, I’m driving—Factors influencing intentions to text while driving in the UK10.1016/j.aap.2021.106027 ↗
40. Predictors of cell phone use in distracted driving: Extending the theory of planned behavior10.1080/10410236.2016.1196639 ↗
41. Resistance to change, of behavior and of theory10.1002/jeab.875 ↗
42. Automaticity, mindfulness, and self-control as predictors of dangerous texting behavior10.1177/2050157915576046 ↗
43. Cell phone-related driver distraction: Habits predict behavior over and above the theory of planned behavior variables10.1016/j.aap.2023.107200 ↗
44. External and internal influences on mobile phone use while driving: Combining the theories of deterrence and self-determination10.1016/j.trf.2023.01.019 ↗
45. Exploring the mechanisms of distraction from in-vehicle technology: The development of the PARRC model10.1016/j.ssci.2016.03.014 ↗
46. What’s the law got to do with it? Legislation regarding in-vehicle technology use and its impact on driver distraction10.1016/j.aap.2016.12.015 ↗
47. What technologies do people engage with while driving and why?10.1016/j.aap.2017.12.004 ↗
48. Can our phones keep us safe? A content analysis of smartphone applications to prevent mobile phone distracted driving10.1016/j.trf.2018.11.017 ↗
49. Do Not Disturb While Driving—Use of cellphone blockers among adult drivers10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104753 ↗
50. “It is frustrating to not have control even though I know it’s not legal!”: A mixed-methods investigation on applications to prevent mobile phone use while driving10.1016/j.aap.2019.105412 ↗
51. How do perceptions of risk and other psychological factors influence the use of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS)? Transp10.1016/j.trf.2019.10.011 ↗