Journal article
The influence of metacognitive beliefs and awareness on driving anxiety and attention in older adults
Transportation Research. Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.122, pp.1-15
2026
Abstract
Driving is a cognitively demanding task that may become more challenging with age-related changes in physical and cognitive functioning. These changes may lead to greater experiences of anxiety in some older adults, which could subsequently impact attention whilst driving. This study investigated the complex relationships between subjective cognitive decline, metacognition, driving anxiety, and self-reported attention in older drivers. A sample of 330 Australian drivers aged 60 years and over who self-reported recent driving-related decline completed an online survey. Correlational analyses revealed significant associations between metacognitive awareness, metacognitive beliefs, driving anxiety, and driving attention, while subjective cognitive decline exhibited small inconsistent relationships at the bivariate level. Structural equation modelling supported theoretical propositions and indicated that dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and metacognitive awareness indirectly influenced attention regulation whilst driving, via the effects they had on driving anxiety. Subjective cognitive decline also indirectly affected attention regulation through the influence it had on increased dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and reduced metacognitive awareness. Comparisons across demographic groups showed that older males reported higher metacognitive awareness and attention regulation compared to females, despite also reporting a greater perceived need to control thoughts. The findings suggest that metacognitive processes may play a role in the development and maintenance of driving anxiety and attentional control among older drivers.
Details
- Title
- The influence of metacognitive beliefs and awareness on driving anxiety and attention in older adults
- Authors
- Steven Love (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastKayla B. Stefanidis - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- Transportation Research. Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol.122, pp.1-15
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.trf.2026.103757
- ISSN
- 1873-5517
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ).
- Data Availability
- The authors do not have permission to share data.
- Grant note
- This study was funded by a grant between the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991247170402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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