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Driving anger and driving behavior in adults with ADHD
Tracy L Richards1, Jerry L Deffenbacher, Lee A Rosén
1Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1976, USA. tracy.richards@colostate.edu
Journal of Attention Disorders
|July 15, 2006
Summary
Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience more driving anger and aggressive behaviors. This increased anger is linked to negative driving outcomes, highlighting significant driving-related challenges for this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Traffic Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting executive functions.
- Driving is a complex activity requiring sustained attention and impulse control, often challenging for individuals with ADHD.
- Anger and aggression are frequently observed in ADHD, but their specific role in driving outcomes is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between driving anger and negative driving outcomes in adults with ADHD.
- To compare driving anger and related behaviors in adults with ADHD versus non-ADHD control groups.
Main Methods:
- Adults diagnosed with ADHD (n=56) completed validated questionnaires on driving anger, anger expression, and angry thoughts.
- Participants also reported on aggressive, risky, and crash-related driving behaviors.
- Data were compared to two non-ADHD control groups (community-based, n=106; college students, n=432).
Main Results:
- ADHD participants reported significantly higher levels of driving anger and aggressive vehicle use compared to non-ADHD peers.
- Individuals with ADHD exhibited less adaptive and constructive anger expression while driving.
- ADHD drivers perceived themselves as riskier, less safe, and experienced more frequent losses of concentration and vehicular control than college student controls.
Conclusions:
- Driving anger and its aggressive expression are prevalent issues for adults with ADHD.
- These findings underscore the heightened risk of negative driving outcomes, including crashes and loss of control, among ADHD drivers.
- Interventions addressing anger management in driving contexts may be crucial for improving safety in this population.
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