Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have made a significant discovery regarding the impact of mood disorders on the driving abilities of teens and young adults. According to their findings, individuals with mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are 30% less likely to obtain their driver’s license compared to their peers without such disorders. Additionally, these youths face a slightly elevated risk of being involved in crashes.

The study, which was published in the journal JAMA Network Open, sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with mood disorders in acquiring their driver’s license and navigating safe driving practices. It emphasizes the need for guidance and training to help these individuals overcome the barriers they encounter when seeking licensure and to mitigate the risk of crashes once they are licensed.

Mood disorders can have a broad impact on both the physical and emotional well-being of individuals. With as many as one in 10 teens and young adults being diagnosed with such disorders, the findings of this study hold significant relevance. Importantly, these disorders often manifest at an age when individuals become eligible to obtain a driver’s license, posing additional hurdles for these individuals.

The Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) at CHOP has been at the forefront of research focused on adolescents and young adults with neurodevelopmental differences and mental health conditions. Their work aims to understand the challenges these individuals face prior to and following licensure. By examining their rates of licensure and crash risks, the research sets the groundwork for future studies that can provide evidence-based guidance to families regarding driving readiness and instruction.

Notably, this study addresses a gap in the existing literature, as previous research on driving and mood disorders has primarily focused on adults. Given that young drivers have distinct crash risks related to their developmental stage, this study’s focus on adolescents and young adults marks a significant contribution to the field.

Lead author of the study, Christopher E. Gaw, MD, MPH, MBE, highlights the significance of their findings, stating, “Our study is the first to identify adolescents and young adults with mood disorders within a large sample to evaluate objective measures of licensing and driving outcomes when newly licensed.” This underscores the pioneering nature of the research and its potential to inform future interventions and support mechanisms for individuals with mood disorders.