Estilos de conducción y salud mental en conductores motorizados del sector centro de la ciudad de Machala provincia de El Oro durante el año 2025

Abstract

Abstract: Road traffic crashes associated with human behavior constitute a public health problem with significant social and economic consequences. In this context, the general objective of this study was to evaluate driving styles and mental health among motor vehicle drivers in central Machala during 2025. A quantitative approach was employed, using a nonexperimental, descriptive, and cross-sectional design, with a sample of 30 actively employed drivers holding a type C driver s license. Data were collected digitally over a three-week period through visits to the participants workplaces, using three validated instruments: the MDSI, the GHQ-28, and the AUDIT. The results showed that the careful driving style was predominant among the adaptive styles (Mp = 4.83), whereas the risky style was predominant among the maladaptive styles (Mp = 3.35). Social dysfunction recorded the highest mean score (M = 6.33), and 43.3% of the participants exhibited risky alcohol consumption. It is concluded that the coexistence of maladaptive driving styles, mental health disturbances, and risky alcohol consumption could compromise road safety among this group of drivers.