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Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
The effect of metacognitive skills on dissociative driving behaviour: a pilot study of two brief attention-based training methods
Transportation Research. Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.116, pp.1-14
2026
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Dissociative driving behaviour (e.g., distraction, inattention, mind wandering) poses a significant risk to road safety. This pilot study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two brief attention training methods − attention training technique (ATT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), for improving self-reported driving attention. The study was advertised on social media platforms and open to adult Australians who reported experiencing difficulties with dissociation when driving in the past week. Participants were randomly assigned to engage in ATT (n = 20) or MBSR (n = 23) every second day for a period of two weeks, whilst a control group (n = 27) were asked to complete a weekly reflection task. All participants completed a survey relating to their thoughts and attention over the past week, before and after the training period. Preliminary correlation analyses showed that general attentional control, mindfulness, and disorganised thinking were relevant to driving-related attention. Mixed-model ANOVAs revealed that ATT and MBSR led to significant improvements in the self-reported ability to regulate attention whilst driving and the frequency of dissociative driving behaviours, over and above the control group. Improvements were also found in general attentional control, mindfulness, disorganised thinking, and psychological distress, particularly for the ATT group. The findings suggest that brief attention training methods are an accessible and effective means of intervening on dissociative driving behaviour. The outcomes of this study could inform future strategies aimed at reducing driving anxiety and attention-related vehicle crashes.
Details
- Title
- The effect of metacognitive skills on dissociative driving behaviour: a pilot study of two brief attention-based training methods
- Authors
- Steven Love (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research CollaborationKerry Armstrong - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research CollaborationSjaan Koppel - Monash University
- Publication details
- Transportation Research. Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.116, pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.trf.2025.103382
- ISSN
- 1873-5517; 1369-8478
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
- Data Availability
- The authors do not have permission to share data.
- Grant note
- This study was funded by a grant between the Queensland Motor Accident Insurance Commission and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991168208202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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