Citation

Morrongiello BA, Corbett M, Koutsoulianos S, Foster A. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2019; 44(4): 509-516.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Guelph.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsy103

PMID

30615139

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Research shows that school-aged children are at high risk of pedestrian injury when they cross streets with peers. How peers exert their influence is unknown. Using a fully immersive virtual reality pedestrian environment, this study examined the impact of peers on children's pedestrian behaviors.

METHODS: 137 children were assigned either to a control, peer observer, or peer-safety or peer-risky modeling condition. Street-crossing behaviors were measured twice (baseline, postbaseline), with group comparisons (control vs. test condition) of postbaseline scores conducted.

RESULTS: Children who observed a peer modeling risky behaviors imitated this. No significant influences were found in the peer observation or safe modeling conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: Peers may elevate other children's risk of pedestrian injury through modeling risky crossings. Implications for prevention are discussed.

Language: en