Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Accidents in childhood: relation to psychosocial conditions and mental development
1Karolinska Institutet, Department of Woman and Child Health, St Göran Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Children with psychosocial stress face higher accident risks. Parental alcohol problems increased boys' accidents, while girls with depression or anxiety had more injuries, though differences were small.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Child psychology
- Public health
Background:
- Childhood accidents represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding risk factors for injuries is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between psychosocial stress, psychopathological symptoms, and the risk of hospital-treated accidents in children.
- To identify specific risk factors for accident occurrence in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study involving 366 children.
- Data collected on children's physical and mental characteristics and family social conditions.
- Accident rates (hospital-treated casualties) were analyzed over the first 10 years of life.
Main Results:
- Boys with parental alcohol problems showed a higher number of accidents.
- Girls exhibiting depression, anxiety, and social relationship problems at 4-5 years had more accidents.
- Observed differences in accident rates were relatively small.
Conclusions:
- Psychosocial stress and specific psychopathological symptoms may be linked to increased accident risk in children.
- Parental alcohol issues and early childhood mental health symptoms are potential risk indicators.
- Environmental factors and societal attitudes may mitigate accident rates.
Abstract:
In a longitudinal cohort study we investigated if children experiencing psychosocial stress and exhibiting certain psychopathological symptoms run a higher risk of having accidents than other children. In 366 children the number of hospital-treated casualties during the first 10 years of their lives was related to the physical and mental characteristics of the children and to the social conditions in their families. Boys had a higher number of accidents when one or both of the parents were known to have alcohol problems. Girls exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety and problems in social relationships at 4-5 years of age had more accidents than girls without such symptoms. However, the differences in accident rates were small, perhaps due to the physical environment in the housing areas and the general attitude, both aiming towards reducing childhood accidents.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosexual Theory of Development
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood
The first four of Erikson's eight psychosocial stages...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Relationship with Parents: Attachment

