Health and Quality of Life Outcomes of Driving Cessation for Older People are More Complex Than We Thought

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This study examined whether there are meaningful subgroups of older past drivers who experience better health and quality of life outcomes, and the factors that may contribute to such outcomes.

Methods

Data from 127 people aged 56–89 years who were past drivers in a New Zealand longitudinal study of aging was used in cluster analysis.

Results

Older past drivers experienced a range of outcomes regarding health and quality of life following driving cessation that clustered into five subgroups, ranging from people with robust outcomes to those with vulnerable health and quality of life. The subgroups were distinguished by economic position, social support, and volunteering.

Conclusions

Using methodology to address issues associated with use of aggregated data, there were subgroups of older past drivers who had better health and wellbeing outcomes following driving cessation than the literature has indicated. Further research is needed to identify the characteristics of those who experience better outcomes, including the role of health, the impact of voluntary and involuntary cessation, and the impact of time to cessation, including self-regulation.

Clinical implications

Older people who stop driving can have positive health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly if they can access social support and volunteering activities.

KEYWORDS:

• Driving
• driving cessation
• older adults
• health
• wellbeing
• quality of life

Clinical implications

• Older people who stop driving can have positive health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Economic position, social support, and volunteering were associated with better health and wellbeing after driving cessation.

• We need to identify the characteristics of older people who have better outcomes following driving cessation.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants and the Health and Ageing Research Team (HART) at Massey University, New Zealand, for their permission to access the dataset. Particular thanks to Chris Stephens, Fiona Alpass, and Jo Allen for their support of this research. The ideas and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors alone, and endorsement by Massey University or the funding agencies is not intended and should not be inferred.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand [HRC05/311]; Foundation for Research Science and Technology, New Zealand [MAUX0606]; Ministry of Science and Innovation, New Zealand [MAUX1205]; Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment [MAUX1403].