The Examination of Factors Contributing to Delays in Licensure for Youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience delays in obtaining their driver’s license relative to their same aged peers. However, despite these delays, there is no evidence of improved driving for these youth. Additionally, graduated driver’s licensing laws (GDL) typically terminate around the age of eighteen, giving some youth less structure prior to independently transitioning to the road. To date, no study has examined the factors that are related to delays in licensure for youth with ADHD. The current study utilized logistic regression analyses and chi square tests to determine if teen cognitive functioning and parenting were related to licensure status. Additionally, the study examined motor vehicle crashes and tickets at six-month follow-up to replicate findings that adolescents have more negative driving outcomes when initially licensed.

Baseline cognition (i.e., reaction time variability, working memory, inhibitory control), parental monitoring, and negative parenting, and 12-month follow-up licensure status were collected on 172 adolescents with ADHD-Combined. Logistic regression was used to determine the extent to which these factors were related to licensure status. Parental monitoring was related to licensure status at 12-month follow-up such that more teens were licensed with less parental monitoring. There were no associations between negative parenting or baseline cognition with 12-month licensure status. Chi square tests revealed that youth licensed within the first six months following the end of treatment had a greater number of tickets and motor vehicle accidents relative to those adolescents not licensed. These findings indicate that parental monitoring may be a point of intervention for youth with ADHD and their families.

Major Professor: Dr. Gregory Fabiano