Effects of parental viewing of children's risk behavior on home safety practices

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. © Society of Pediatric Psychology 2005; all rights reserved.