Attention Function Structure of Older and Younger Adult Drivers

Groups of younger (n=49, M age = 21.7 years) and older (n=52, M age = 73.0 years) adults performed computer-based cognitive tests and simulated driving. Results from the cognitive tests were submitted to Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and 6 components were extracted that explained more than 77% of the variance. The components were labeled speed, divided, sustained, executive, selective/inhibition, and visual search in descending order of amount of variance explained. The component scores were used to predict simulated driving performance. Hierarchical step-wise regressions were computed with driving performance as the criterion, and age group (forced) and the component scores (step-wise) as predictors. Results showed that the speed and divided components were more likely to explain additional driving performance variance beyond age group than the other components.