Understanding the relationship between driving cessation and depressive symptomology in older adults: A systematic review

IF 3.5 2区工程技术 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, APPLIED

Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Pub Date : 2025-06-16 DOI:10.1016/j.trf.2025.05.035

Jade Carpenter , Sjaan Koppel , Joanne M. Bennett

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Older adults (aged 65 and older) are considered a vulnerable group of road users due to age-related declines inhibiting their fitness to drive. This often results in older drivers having to transition from ‘drivers’ to ‘retired drivers’ (RD), which has been associated with increased depressive symptoms. Despite the significant implications on well-being, only one previous review has systematically examined the literature on the relationship between driving cessation and depressive symptomology in older adults. Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesise both cross-sectional and longitudinal literature examining the relationship between driving cessation and depressive symptomology in older adults. Data sources: The reviewed included peer-reviewed studies published up to April 2024 and were sourced from PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus. To meet the inclusion criteria, studies had to: be peer-reviewed, be in English, have a mean participant age of over 65 years, include a measure of depressive symptoms, and include sample of RD. Results: A total of 19 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings were consistent, with significant relationships reported between driving cessation and higher depressive symptoms in over 80 % of included studies, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Limitations: The measures used to assess depressive symptoms were inconsistent across studies. Additionally, the studies did not define the length of time since driver retirement for their sample, limiting the ability to make accurate conclusions on the long-term effects of driving cessation on depressive symptoms. Future research should utilise valid and reliable measures of depressive symptoms and work towards a standard criterion for RD. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that driving cessation is associated with higher depressive symptoms among older adults. This underscores the importance of providing tools and support to navigate and cope with this transition. However further research is required to better understand the relationship between driving cessation and depressive symptomology in older adults.

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了解老年人停止驾驶与抑郁症状之间的关系：一项系统综述

背景：老年人（65岁及以上）被认为是道路使用者的弱势群体，因为与年龄相关的衰退抑制了他们的驾驶能力。这往往导致老年司机不得不从“司机”转变为“退休司机”（RD），这与抑郁症状的增加有关。尽管这对健康有重大影响，但之前只有一篇综述系统地研究了关于老年人停止驾驶和抑郁症状之间关系的文献。目的：本系统综述旨在综合横截面和纵向文献，研究老年人停止驾驶与抑郁症状之间的关系。数据来源：所审查的研究包括截至2024年4月发表的同行评议研究，来自PsycINFO， PubMed和Scopus。为了符合纳入标准，研究必须：经过同行评审，使用英语，参与者平均年龄超过65岁，包括抑郁症状测量，并包括RD样本。结果：共有19项横断面和纵向研究符合纳入标准。研究结果是一致的，在超过80%的纳入研究中，无论是横断面研究还是纵向研究，都报告了停止驾驶与较高抑郁症状之间的显著关系。局限性：用于评估抑郁症状的措施在研究中是不一致的。此外，这些研究没有定义样本中司机退休后的时间长度，这限制了对停止驾驶对抑郁症状的长期影响做出准确结论的能力。未来的研究应利用有效和可靠的抑郁症状测量方法，并努力制定RD的标准标准。结论：总体而言，研究结果表明，在老年人中，停止驾驶与较高的抑郁症状有关。这强调了提供工具和支持来引导和应对这种转变的重要性。然而，需要进一步的研究来更好地了解老年人停止驾驶和抑郁症状之间的关系。

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来源期刊

Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Multiple-

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

14.60%

发文量

239

审稿时长

71 days

期刊介绍： Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour focuses on the behavioural and psychological aspects of traffic and transport. The aim of the journal is to enhance theory development, improve the quality of empirical studies and to stimulate the application of research findings in practice. TRF provides a focus and a means of communication for the considerable amount of research activities that are now being carried out in this field. The journal provides a forum for transportation researchers, psychologists, ergonomists, engineers and policy-makers with an interest in traffic and transport psychology.