OBJECTIVE : Research indicates that caregiver supervision protects children from unintentional injuries. However, most studies have used upper-income samples, which are at a relatively low risk for injury.
OBJECTIVE : This study examined the role of proximal maternal supervision in children's injury occurrence and severity among low-income families. We used a case crossover design and collected data about injury and control conditions for children aged 1-5 in 50 low-income families. Higher levels of mot OBJECTIVE : hers' proximity to children predicted lower likelihood of injury occurrence. When controlling for child activity level, there was a trend for visual supervision to predict injury occurrence. The number of children in the home was also associated with lower supervision and higher prior injury frequen OBJECTIVE : cy. These findings provide evidence for the important role of maternal supervision in preventing unintentional injuries among low-income, at-risk children. Interventions that help at-risk caregivers provide closer supervision for their children are needed.
Language: en
Keywords
case crossover design; child injuries; maternal supervision