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. 2024 Jan-Dec;47(2):224-233.
doi: 10.1080/07317115.2023.2224795. Epub 2023 Jun 14.

Driving Cessation and Late-Life Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms: Findings from the National Health and Aging Trends Study

Rachel Missell-Gray  1   2 , Adam Simning  1   3
Affiliations

Driving Cessation and Late-Life Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms: Findings from the National Health and Aging Trends Study

Rachel Missell-Gray et al. Clin Gerontol. 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the association between driving cessation and depressive and anxiety symptoms over time by assessing depression and anxiety at 1- and 4-years follow-up.

Methods: The study examined community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older from the National Health and Aging Trends Study who were driving at the 2015 interview and completed 1-year (N = 4,182) and 4-year (N = 3,102) follow-up interviews. Outcomes were positive screens for depressive and anxiety symptoms in 2016 or 2019, and the primary independent variable was driving cessation within one year of the baseline interview.

Results: Adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, driving cessation was associated with depressive symptoms at 1 year (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.33-3.82) and 4-year follow-up (OR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.72-7.29). Driving cessation was also associated with anxiety symptoms at 1 year (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.05-2.79) and 4 year follow up (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.04-9.99).

Conclusions: Driving cessation was associated with an increased risk of developing depressive and anxiety symptoms in later life. However, reasons for this association remain unclear.

Clinical implications: Although the mechanism linking driving cessation with worse mental health symptoms is uncertain, driving facilitates many important activities. Clinicians should monitor the well-being of patients who stop or intend to stop driving.

Keywords: Functioning; mental health; mobility.

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