Predictors of unintentional injuries to school-age children seen in pediatric primary care

Abstract

Objective: To identify predictors of unintentional injury to school-age children seen in pediatric primary care. Methods: Members of a managed health care system (295 children ages 5-11 years and their mothers) participated. We used Time 1 measures of child, maternal, and family functioning and health care utilization to predict rates of unintentional child injury for the following year. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify variables contributing to prospective injury rates. Results: The final regression model included eight Time 1 variables and accounted for 21% of the variance in Time 2 injury rates. Significant predictors of increased injury liability were younger child age, more children at home, child behavior problems, child social competence, three indices of reduced child health, and maternal anxiety. Conclusions: We discuss the utility of these predictors for pediatric psychologists in targeting primary care preventive interventions to families at risk for unintentional child injury.