Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between risk perception and addiction, considering the mediating role of social health among motorcyclists in District 12 of Tehran Municipality.
Method: This study employed a correlational design using regression analysis to predict risk perception based on addiction, with social health as a mediating variable. The statistical population consisted of all motorcyclists referring to addiction treatment clinics in District 12 of Tehran Municipality. A purposive sample of 300 participants was selected. Data were collected using the Motorcyclists' Risk Perception Questionnaire (Elliot et al., 2008), the Substance Use Disorder Questionnaire (Berman et al., 2005), and the Social Health Questionnaire (Safarinia, 2010).
Results: The results of stepwise regression analysis revealed that addiction significantly predicted risk perception (β = -1.22, p < 0.001). Social health (β = 0.146) and its dimensions—including social flourishing (β = 0.111), social cohesion (β = 0.282), social acceptance (β = 0.615), and social participation (β = 0.662)—also significantly predicted risk perception. Furthermore, social health demonstrated a significant negative correlation with addiction (r = -0.223, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that addiction may diminish motorcyclists' risk perception, both directly and indirectly through its negative association with social health. This reduction in risk perception may subsequently contribute to an increased likelihood of traffic accidents. The results underscore the importance of considering social health factors in interventions aimed at reducing risky driving behaviors among motorcyclists.