The development and initial validation of a new tool to measure self-awareness of driving ability after brain injury

AimThe aim of this study was to develop and provide initial validation data for a self-awareness of on-road driving ability measure for individuals with brain injury. MethodThirty-nine individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury completed an on-road driving assessment, the Self-Regulation Skills Interview (SRSI) and the newly developed Brain Injury Driving Self-Awareness Measure (BIDSAM). ResultsBIDSAM self, clinician and discrepancy scales demonstrated high levels of internal consistency (=0.83-0.92). Criterion-related validity was established by demonstrating significantly higher correlations between clinician ratings and on-road performances, r(s)=0.82, P<0.01, compared to self-ratings, r(s)=0.45, P<0.05. Discrepancy scores were significantly correlated with the SRSI emergent, r(s)=0.52, P<0.01, and anticipatory awareness scores, r(s)=0.37, P<0.05, indicative of convergent validity. ConclusionsThese results provide initial support for the BIDSAM as a reliable and valid measure of self-awareness of on-road driving ability following TBI.