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Children's risk taking behaviors: the role of child-based perceptions of vulnerability and temperament

Richard E Boles1, Michael C Roberts, Keri J Brown

  • 1Clinical Child Psychology Program, The University of Kansas, 2010 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA. rboles@ku.edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|September 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Active temperaments and low perceived vulnerability in children are linked to increased risk-taking behaviors in simulated home environments. These factors are crucial for injury prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Injury Prevention

Background:

  • Understanding factors influencing children's risk-taking behavior is crucial for preventing home injuries.
  • Temperament and perceived vulnerability are potential moderators of children's engagement in hazardous activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between children's temperament, their perceptions of vulnerability to injury, and their risk-taking behaviors.
  • To explore these relationships within a controlled, simulated home environment.

Main Methods:

  • Interviews with children and primary caregivers on temperament and perceived vulnerability.
  • Observational study of children's interactions with simulated household hazards.

Main Results:

  • Higher reported activity levels in children correlated with lower perceived vulnerability and increased risky behaviors.
  • Children's risk-taking behaviors were predicted by their own perceptions of vulnerability, even after accounting for gender.

Conclusions:

  • Active temperaments and diminished perceptions of vulnerability are significant risk factors for home injuries.
  • Interventions should aim to modify perceived vulnerability and identify children with at-risk temperaments for targeted injury prevention.
Abstract

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