THE DRIVING APPRAISAL INVENTORY - PSYCHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY

Four studies examined the dimensionality, reliability and construct va lidity of the Driving Appraisal Inventory (DAI), a self-report measure of driving habits and skills. In Study 1, analysis of 127 items led t o the formation of four unidimensional, internally reliable scales: Ca relessness, Drunken Driving, Vehicle Safety, and Self-Evaluation. In S tudy 2, all were.found to have acceptable test-retest reliability. In Study 3, convergent validity support was obtained for the Carelessness and Vehicle Safety scales. In Study 4, concurrent criterion-related v alidity support was obtained for the Carelessness and Drunken Driving scales. Scores on the Self-Evaluation scale appear to be more a functi on of self-confidence and/ or ego-involvement in driving skills and le ss a function of actual driving skills. Men score higher than women do on the Carelessness, Drunken Driving, and Self-Evaluation scales, and in Study 4, criterion-related validity of the Self-Evaluation scale w as stronger among women than among men.