Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Adelaide Driving Self-Efficacy Scale in Community-Dwelling Drivers

Driving self-efficacy influences driving behavior and decisions about continuing to drive, yet no validated Japanese measure has been available. This study examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Adelaide Driving Self-Efficacy Scale (ADSES-J) in 100 community-dwelling licensed drivers, with a 2-week retest in 20 participants. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α and test-retest reliability using ICC (2,1). Convergent validity was examined through correlations with driving-related measures, and discriminant validity through correlations with general self-efficacy and mental health scales. Exploratory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure explaining 71.6% of the variance. The ADSES-J demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = .962) and test-retest reliability (ICC = .965), with no floor or ceiling effects at the total score level, although Item 1 showed a ceiling effect. These findings indicate that the ADSES-J is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing driving-specific self-efficacy among community-dwelling drivers in Japan.