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Social Integration and Social Support Among Older Adults Following Driving Cessation

¹ Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
² Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Address correspondence to Briana Mezuk, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, 109 Observatory, 3644 SPH Tower, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. E-mail: bmezuk{at}umich.edu

Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of driving cessation on social integration and perceived support from relatives and friends among older adults.

Methods. Data came from the population-based Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. We restricted analyses to participants aged 60+ with a history of driving (n = 398). Social integration (number and frequency of contact) and perceived social support from relatives/friends, driving status (continuing or ceased), and demographic and health characteristics were assessed at interviews 13 years apart. The potential mediating role of ability to use public transit was also investigated. We used repeated measures random-intercept models to evaluate the effect of driving cessation on social network characteristics over time.

Results. Former drivers were older, were more likely to be female and non-White, had lower education, had poorer self-rated health, and had lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores relative to continuing drivers. Over the follow-up period, cessation was associated with reduced network of friends (odds ratio = 0.49, p <.05). This association was not mediated by ability to use public transportation. Cessation had no impact on support from friends or relatives.

Discussion. Social integration is negatively affected by driving cessation even among elders who feel competent in using alternative forms of transportation, at least concerning networks of friends.

Key Words: Life course • Social networks • Social support • Driving cessation • Social integration