Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114776

Robert E. Cole, PhD, Christina Koulouglioti, RN, MS, Harriet J. Kitzman, RN, PhD, Kimberly J. Arcoleo, MPH, and Elizabeth Anson, BA. School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, BOX SON, Rochester, NY 14620, (716) 275-0508, Robert_Cole@urmc.rochester.edu

Purpose

To examine the impact of child compliance with behavioral prohibitions and direct maternal supervision on unintentional injuries among children and the influence of child temperament on these relationships.

Methods

Interview and observation of a diverse sample of 278 mothers and their three-year-old children and a one-year follow-up interview. Observation and self-report measures of temperament, mother-child interaction, supervision and child compliance with behavioral prohibitions in the presence of the mother and when alone. Injury data were obtained from the mother interview and a review of the children's medical records.

Results

Between 18 and 72 months 82 children sustained 125 medically attended injuries. As predicted, observed child compliance (estimate=-.007,p<.04) and supervision (number of minutes the mother would leave the child alone in various settings, estimate=.03,p<.001) are independently related to the frequency of medically attended injuries. Injury rates decrease with higher levels of compliance and with fewer minutes left unattended. There is an inverse relationship between inhibitory control and supervision (r=.15,p<.02) and an interaction between inhibition and supervision in the prediction of injury (estimate=.23,p<.001). Mothers are willing to leave self-controlled children alone for longer periods of time and therefore children with high levels of inhibitory control are at greater risk for injury than children with low levels of control and greater supervision.

Conclusions

Child compliance and maternal supervision are related to child injuries. Supervision is strongly influenced by a child's behavior. Mothers are at risk for being overly influenced by their children's self-control and easing supervision more than is practical.

Learning Objectives:

1.Articulate how inhibitory control and supervision relate to injuries 2.Describe how child temperament influences parental supervision guidelines
• Understand the role of child compliance as a supplement to direct supervision
• Develop evidence based family interventions to reduce unintentional injuries

Keywords: Injury Prevention, Behavior Based Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation