Mind the Road: Risky Driving Behaviour in People with Young-Onset Dementia

Hooijman, Maud (2026) Mind the Road: Risky Driving Behaviour in People with Young-Onset Dementia. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Driving is a cognitively demanding task, relying on functions such as executive functions, processing speed, attention and social cognition. These functions are often impaired in people with young-onset dementia (YOD), a term used when dementia symptoms manifest before the age of 65. Compared to late-onset dementias, YOD is characterized by less severe memory impairment and greater behavioural and social cognitive changes. As research regarding driving ability in this population is scarce, the present study aims to explore the relationship between the aforementioned cognitive domains and risk perception and risky driving behaviour in YOD. It was hypothesized that individuals with YOD would demonstrate poorer cognitive performance, reduced risk perception and more risky driving behaviour than healthy controls, and that poorer cognitive functioning would predict higher levels of risky driving behaviour. 11 patients with YOD and 30 healthy controls were included. Cognitive functioning was assessed using neuropsychological tests (MMSE, SDMT, TMT-A, TMT-B, FEEST, ETIF, Groningen ToM Battery), risk perception with a questionnaire (RTS) and risky driving behaviour using both static (AST) and dynamic (RiTT) measures. Between-group comparisons, correlational analyses and linear regression analyses were conducted to test hypotheses. Results revealed significant cognitive impairment among individuals with YOD across some cognitive domains compared to healthy controls. However, these cognitive impairments did not result in poorer risk perception and riskier driving behaviour. Instead, healthy controls drove significantly faster and violated speed limits for longer distances than individuals with YOD. Higher processing speed and lower ability to feel with another person emerged as potential predictors of traffic-related risk-taking behaviour. The present results emphasize the need for research on driving safety in this population, taking into account the heterogeneity of cognitive profiles in YOD.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Gelmers, F. and Spikman, J.M.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2026 11:39
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2026 11:39
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6255

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