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

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.