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Older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) display distinct and riskier driving behaviors compared to their peers without the condition, according to a recent study published on December 30 in JAMA Network Open. The findings, led by Ganesh M. Babulal, Ph.D., from Washington University in St. Louis, highlight the potential risks posed by driving for older adults suffering from depression.
The research, conducted in a prospective longitudinal study, involved 85 seniors aged 65 years and older who were diagnosed with MDD, alongside 310 age-matched individuals without the disorder. Researchers employed a commercial data logger to monitor daily driving behavior, capturing naturalistic data on participants’ driving habits and safety practices.
The results revealed that older adults with MDD exhibited more pronounced depressive symptoms, higher rates of comorbidities, and increased use of antidepressants and other medications compared to those without the disorder. These individuals also displayed distinct driving patterns, including a higher frequency of hard braking and hard cornering events per trip. Furthermore, they were found to drive greater distances from home, visit more unique destinations, and experience higher random entropy over time—indicating greater unpredictability in their driving behaviors.
The study suggests that these altered driving patterns may pose increased risks on the road. However, identifying these behaviors provides an opportunity for targeted interventions, such as cognitive retraining or driver rehabilitation programs led by occupational therapists. Such interventions could help improve safe mobility and enhance the quality of life for older drivers with MDD.
“This research emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of how depression affects driving behavior in older adults, with the potential for tailored strategies to improve both safety and well-being,” said Babulal and his colleagues.
The study’s findings are a critical step toward addressing the unique challenges that older adults with MDD face, particularly when it comes to maintaining independence while ensuring road safety.
For more information, refer to the full study: Ganesh M. Babulal et al, Major Depressive Disorder and Driving Behavior Among Older Adults, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.52038.
