Aim
This systematic review aimed to examine the relationship between driving cessation and depressive symptomology in older adults, drawing on both cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence to better understand the magnitude and nature of this association.
Methods
The review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines, with searches of PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus, and no limits on publication date.
Eligibility criteria included:
- Participants aged 65 years and older
- Inclusion of individuals who had stopped driving
- Use of validated measures of depressive symptoms
Studies focused solely on populations with cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia) were excluded. Due to high heterogeneity across studies, a meta-analysis was not conducted; instead, findings were synthesised qualitatively.
Key findings:
- Driving cessation is consistently associated with increased depressive symptoms in older adults.
- Evidence from longitudinal studies suggests this relationship may persist over time, not just immediately after stopping driving.
- The strength of the association varies across studies, reflecting differences in populations, measures, and study design.
- There is limited understanding of how depressive symptoms evolve over the long-term following driving cessation.
Implications:
Findings highlight that driving cessation is not only a mobility issue but also a mental health concern. There is a need for interventions that extend beyond preparing individuals to stop driving and instead provide ongoing psychological and social support after cessation. Better understanding of long-term impacts can inform the development of targeted supports to promote healthy ageing and wellbeing following driving retirement.