Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Mobility behaviour and driving status of patients with mental disorders - an exploratory study
Alexander Brunnauer1,2,3, Verena Buschert1, Felix Segmiller2
1a kbo-Inn-Salzach-Klinikum, Psychiatric Hospital , Department of Neuropsychology , Wasserburg/Inn , Germany ;
Background:
Driving is an important activity of daily life and an integral part of mobility. However, impact of mental illness on road mobility is widely unexplored.
Method:
Driving status in 1497 psychiatric inpatients (PPs) and a clinical control group of 313 neurological inpatients (NPs) was investigated using a brief questionnaire.
Results:
67% of PPs (89% NPs) reported to have a valid driver's licence and 77% of them (92% NPs) reported to regularly use their cars. Within driver's license holders, patients with organic mental disorder (32%), substance dependence (37%) and psychotic disorder (40%) had the lowest proportion of current drivers. Higher educational qualification (odds ratio [OR] from 2.978 to 17.036) and being married/partnered (OR 3.049) or divorced (OR 4.840) significantly advanced the probability of possession of a driving license. Predictive factors for driving cessation were being female, an older age, drawing a pension and having an organic mental disease or schizophrenic disorder.
Conclusion:
Mental disease has a negative impact on driving status and this is especially true for illnesses frequently being accompanied by distinct cognitive impairments. Factors predicting road mobility elucidate the strong relationship with psychosocial status indicating that recovery of driving competence should be an integral goal of treatment strategies.
