Citation

Olsen LL, Kruse S, Miller AR, Brussoni MJ. J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 2016; 37(2): 121-131.

Affiliation

*School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada; †BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; ‡Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada; §Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Child and Family Research Institute, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, Vancouver, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/DBP.0000000000000256

PMID

26836639

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the safety-related concerns of parents of children with a variety of disabilities and chronic conditions. We sought to examine concerns common to parents as they related to their children's delayed development, behavioral difficulties, and chronic conditions.

METHOD: A qualitative approach guided by grounded theory was used. Participants included parents of children between 1 and 5 years with a disability or chronic condition who resided in British Columbia, Canada. Data were collected using in-depth in-person interviews and analysis conducted using constant comparative methods.

RESULTS: Three themes were identified that reflected parental safety concerns. These included concerns about: (1) Child's level of understanding about danger; (2) Child interactions with physical environment (concerns about child movement, concerns about ingestions); (3) Child interactions with social environment. Difficult-to-manage behaviors and cognitive limitations exacerbated parents' safety concerns. Parents were found to share safety concerns about movement and ingestions across a range of types of child health conditions.

CONCLUSION: For themes of child movement and child ingestions, findings supported the utility of a noncategorical approach for the design of injury prevention strategies for these types of concerns. Parent concerns about child lack of understanding about risk and social safety concerns were linked to a smaller number of conditions and supported a more tailored approach. Flexible approaches may be needed that can offer both generic and specific information and to meet the needs of parents and clinicians.

Language: en