The Role of Adult Perceptions and Supervision Behavior in Preventing Child Injury

Supervision is an important factor in reducing injury risk. There are multiple factors that can affect the appropriate level of supervision including risk perception, anticipation of injury, and distracted behaviors. This study examined the perceived risks of child injury among parents and child caregivers and their supervision behavior among adults in an urban playground. Participant data from 25 individuals were collected through observations and anonymous self-reported surveys. More than half of the participants indicated practice of appropriate supervisory behavior, including attentiveness to their child's behavior and proximity to their child during play. Caregivers were more likely to report more careful levels of supervision. One-fourth of participants reported a change in the supervisory behavior during periods of distraction, specifically with phone use. Of the variables tested, there was a significant association between the variable 'talking to other adults' during supervision and 'prior injury' (P value = 0.04, 95% CI 0.03-0.91). Parents were more likely to report that they would leave their child unattended if they believed that the playground was a safe environment for play. There was a difference between self-reported behaviors and actual observed behavior, which is likely due to varying perspectives regarding child safety and injury prevention. In regards to injury risk, findings highlight the important role of appropriate supervisory behaviors and risk perceptions in preventing child injuries.