The reasoned, reactive, and habitual engagement in social media distracted driving: Exploration of behavioral processes and their integration

Date

2025-6

Author

Arslan Arısoy, Burcu

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Social Media Distracted Driving (SMDD), defined as drivers engaging with content and notifications from social media apps while driving, presents a unique hazard. Understanding the behavioral processes that contribute to SMDD is vital for developing effective interventions and policies. However, no prior study has specifically investigated these processes. To address this gap, the current study proposes a novel approach to examining the behavioral processes of SMDD with three frameworks and their integration: the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Prototype Willingness Model, and habitual strength. A sample of 416 drivers, with a mean age of 31.9 years, participated in the study. The findings indicated a positive relationship between social media habits and SMDD engagement, suggesting that SMDD can be somewhat automatic. The analysis of the TPB model showed that intention was the strongest predictor, underscoring the strength of the reasoned process in SMDD. The PWM model revealed that willingness had a smaller direct effect on SMDD but a stronger indirect effect through intention, highlighting the impact of reactive responses on the reasoned process. Finally, the integrated model suggested that SMDD is not an automatic behavior; however, habits can shape deliberate behavioral processes. The study highlights the necessity of a multi-framework approach to understanding the underlying factors of SMDD. The discussion section includes the theoretical and practical implications of the results

Subject Keywords

Distracted Driving, Social Media, Theory of Planned Behavior, Prototype Willingness Model, Habitual Strength

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/115073

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis