Sensation Seeking and Self-esteem Differences among Illegal Street Racers in Malaysia

Noh Amit,Zaini Said,Norhayati Ibrahim,Rozmi Ismail,Shazli Ezzat Ghazali

doi:10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1s1p96

Abstract

Although illegal (motorcycle) street racing is alarming, little is known about the age, educational and psychological characteristics of these illegal (motorcycle) street racers (mat rempit). Therefore, the aim of this research is to examine the age, educational and selected psychological characteristics of mat rempit in Malaysia. This cross-sectional research was carried out with 197 mat rempit who participated in the Centre for Empowering Youth (Pusat Pemerkasaan Remaja—PERKASA) intervention program. A set of survey questionnaire which comprises of demographic information and measure of sensation seeking and self-esteem were administered. The correlation analysis and a series of one-way ANOVAs were carried out. The correlation analyses showed that there was a strong positive correlation between sensation seeking and global sensation. While impulsivity was strongly correlated with global sensation, impulsivity was having low positive correlation with mild offence. The ANOVA analysis showed that there was no significant difference on sensation seeking, impulsivity, global sensation, self-esteem based on different age groups. However, the only significant difference was reported on impulsivity based on education level differences. Further analysis with Tukey post hoc test showed that the significant difference on impulsivity was found between primary education group and upper secondary education group. The strong correlation between sensation seeking and global sensation has the potential to guide researchers in treating these constructs for future research. Knowledge on educational differences has the potential to facilitate understanding of impulsivity among mat rempit in Malaysia context. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1s1p96

Highlights

Illegal street racing among young people is a form of risky behavior (Leigh, 1995)
The results showed that there were no significant differences on sensation seeking, impulsivity, global sensation, self-esteem based on different age groups; the only significant difference was reported on impulsivity based on education level, [F (2,194) = 4.26, p=.01]
The current research indicated the importance of impulsivity and self-esteem in understanding of mild offence among mat rempit in Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

Illegal street racing among young people is a form of risky behavior (Leigh, 1995). In Malaysia, the term illegal street racing locally refers to the act of groups of young men known as mat rempit involving in illegal and risky motorcycle racing. In Malaysia context, mat rempit is a social construct which refer to young men who involve in illegal motorcycle street racing by riding the underbone motorcycles (locally term as kapcai). These young mat rempit tend to perform risky riding behaviors on public roads. There is a small prevalence of mat rempit in Malaysia, the negative consequences of mat rempit illegal racing is alarming This is because mat rempit activity may include unsafe sexual activity, consumption of alcohol and drugs, committing crime related behavior such as snatching ‘ragut,’ robbery, groups fighting, and vehicle accidents which may cause the risk of disability and/or death to other road users (Ibrahim et al, 2015; Ismail et al, 2013; Shahrazad et al, 2012; Shope, & Bingham, 2002)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion