Parental style and executive functioning in ADHD: Effects on driving risk and licencing

Parental style and executive functioning in ADHD: Effects on driving risk and licencing

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the factors that affect those with ADHD, that may lead to a delay in licencing and risky driving behaviour. This study investigated the variables of parental style, executive functioning, ADHD symptomology and how they associate to driver behaviour and age of licensure. Survey data were collected from 160 participants. Participants ranged from 20-64 years of age (85.6% female), with 49.4% reporting an ADHD diagnosis. The online survey collected data related to demographic and driving-related demographics, questionnaires of ADHD Self-Reporting Scale, the Executive Function Index, Parental Bonding Instrument, use of ADHD medication, age of licensure, and the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire. The study variables were assessed by a linear regression with risky driving behaviour (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire) as the outcome variable. A second analysis, a logistic regression was run to assess the study variables on age of licensure. Results of the study saw that ADHD symptomology and executive functioning were associated with risky driving behaviour. Secondly this study found that ADHD symptomology does not appear to influence age of licensure. These results strengthen the concerns of driver safety for those with greater ADHD symptomology and raise important questions around support for ADHD families.