Citation

Brown KJ, Roberts MC, Mayes S, Boles RE. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2005; 30(7): 571-580.

Affiliation

Children’s Research Institute, Columbus Children’s Hospital, Center for Injury Research and Policy, 700 Children’s Way, Columbus, Ohio 43205. brownke@chi.osu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsi044

PMID

16166246

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of parent viewing of their child's actual risk behavior on home safety practices. METHODS: Sixty-one 4-to 7-year-old children and their caregivers participated in a three session project. Parents were exposed to one of three videos: (a) their own child with simulated home hazards, (b) a pilot child with hazards, or (c) a control child development video. Observations of home hazards as well as parent measures of supervision and vulnerability were completed pre and postintervention. RESULTS: Exposure to a video of a parent's own child playing with simulated hazards resulted in improved home safety practices. Exposure to a pilot child interacting with home hazards did not increase parent safety behaviors. No group differences in levels of vulnerability were found. CONCLUSIONS: Parental attitudes are an important consideration in designing successful injury interventions. Increasing parental awareness of their child's risk to injury may be a valuable tool to change safety behaviors.