The Big Five Personality Factors as Predictors of Driving Status in Older Adults

Objective: Although factors including cognitive and health status have been associated with driving cessation in older adults, the role of psychosocial variables is not well studied. Previous research on young adult drivers has suggested that personality may be related to driving behavior, but this study is among the first to explore the relationship between driving status and the Big Five Model of personality for older adults. Method: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (2008 wave, n = 4,028). Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Neuroticism ( = -0.4511, p < .001) and agreeableness ( = -0.5058, p < .001) were associated with decreased likelihood of driving; extraversion ( = 0.4588, p < .001), openness ( = 0.5903, p < .001), and conscientiousness ( = 0.4077, p < .001) were associated with increased likelihood of driving, although results were partially mediated by including known risk factors. People who limited their driving to nearby locations were the most different from those who no longer drove. Discussion: Personality adds a unique contribution to the prediction of late-life driving status.