Driving Anger and Driving Behavior in Adults With ADHD

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses whether anger in the context of driving is associated with the negative driving outcomes experienced by individuals with ADHD. METHOD: ADHD adults (n = 56) complete measures of driving anger, driving anger expression, angry thoughts behind the wheel, and aggressive, risky, and crash-related behavior. Results are compared to two non-ADHD control groups: one from the same community as the ADHD sample (n = 106) but that did not complete all instruments and the other from college students (n = 432) who completed all instruments. RESULTS: ADHD participants report more driving anger and aggressive expression through the use of their vehicle and less adaptive and constructive anger expression than their non-ADHD peers. Adult ADHD drivers rate themselves as more angry, risky, and unsafe drivers and report experiencing more losses of concentration and vehicular control than college students. CONCLUSION: Results are discussed with regard to drivingrelated problems for drivers with ADHD.