Behavioral predictors of injury in school-age children

P. Bijur, J. Golding, M. Haslum and M. Kurzon
Departments of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.

The behavior of 10,394 British children was related prospectively to their injury history between ages 5 and 10 years, obtained from parents. Aggressive and overactive behaviors at age 5 years were measured by subscales of the Rutter Child Behavior Questionnaire completed by the parents. Multivariate techniques were used to assess the association between behavior and injuries while controlling for social, demographic, and psychological characteristics. Boys' behavior at age 5 years was more strongly predictive of injuries in the subsequent five years than was girls' behavior. The odds of experiencing injuries resulting in hospitalization in boys with high aggression scores was 2.4 times that of boys with low aggression scores. The identification of high-risk children provides the foundation for understanding the behavioral mechanisms that contribute to injuries and for developing preventive strategies tailored to the needs of these children.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Previous Head Injury Is a Risk Factor for Subsequent Head Injury in Children: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Swaine et al.
Pediatrics 2007;119:749-758.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Psychological determinants of risk taking by children: an integrative model and implications for interventions
Morrongiello and Lasenby-Lessard
Inj. Prev. 2007;13:20-25.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Thirty month outcome from early childhood head injury: a prospective analysis of neurobehavioural recovery
Anderson et al.
Brain 2004;127:2608-2620.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Childhood Behavior Disorders and Injuries Among Children and Youth: A Population-Based Study
Brehaut et al.
Pediatrics 2003;111:262-269.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Injuries in child care centers: gender-environment interactions
Alkon et al.
Inj. Prev. 2000;6:214-218.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

High-Risk Periods for Childhood Injury Among Siblings
Johnston et al.
Pediatrics 2000;105:562-568.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Using a diary to record near misses and minor injuries--which method of administration is best?
Marsh and Kendrick
Inj. Prev. 1999;5:305-309.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Road injuries in school age children: relation to environmental factors amenable to interventions
von Kries et al.
Inj. Prev. 1998;4:103-105.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Accidental injury: risk and preventative interventions
van Weeghel et al.
Arch. Dis. Child. 1997;77:28-31.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

PREDICTORS OF INJURY IN CHILDREN
JWatch General 1988;1988:7-7.
FULL TEXT