Poor sense of direction is associated with constricted driving space in older drivers.
The aims of this study were to determine whether perceived sense of direction was associated with the driving space of older drivers and whether the association was different between genders. Participants (1,425 drivers aged 67-87 years) underwent a battery of visual and cognitive tests and completed various questionnaires. Sense of direction was assessed using the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction (SBSOD) scale. Driving space was assessed by both the driving space component of the Driving Habits Questionnaire and log maximum area driven. Analyses were performed using generalized linear models. The SBSOD score was lower in women than in men and significantly associated with log driving area in women but not in men. The SBSOD score also showed a significant association with women's self-reported driving restriction. The findings emphasize the need to explore the role of psychological factors, and include gender, in driving studies and models.
Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Wilmer Room 129, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. kturano1@jhmi.edu
Kathleen A
KA
Turano
Beatriz
B
Munoz
Shirin E
SE
Hassan
Donald D
DD
Duncan
Emily W
EW
Gower
Karen B
KB
Roche
Lisa
L
Keay
Cynthia A
CA
Munro
Sheila K
SK
West
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013028:Space Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires