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Older siblings as supervisors: Does this influence young children's risk of unintentional injury?

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  • Morrongiello, Barbara A.
  • MacIsaac, Trevor J.
  • Klemencic, Nora

Abstract

Unintentional injury is a leading cause of death and hospitalization of young children. Many of these injuries occur in the home when children presumably are being supervised. This study focused on the under-explored issue of sibling supervision in the home, drawing on data collected from a sample of Canadian mothers. Mothers in this sample completed a structured telephone interview and mailed back questionnaires to provide information about the nature and extent of sibling supervision that occurs in the home, as well as the younger child's injury history. Results indicated that older siblings supervise younger ones about 11% of their mutual wake time, with children typically playing and parents usually doing other chores during this time. Time spent with siblings as supervisors was positively related to the supervisee's history of injuries suggesting that sibling supervision may elevate younger children's risk of injury. However, the behavior of the supervisee contributed to risk more so than that of the supervisor. Specifically, sibling supervisors were reported to utilize the same types of strategies as their mother and father in their efforts to supervise and persuade younger children to stop things that could lead to injury. However, poor compliance by the younger child when the older sibling was supervising predicted injury. Implications for childhood injury and directions for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Morrongiello, Barbara A. & MacIsaac, Trevor J. & Klemencic, Nora, 2007. "Older siblings as supervisors: Does this influence young children's risk of unintentional injury?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 807-817, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:64:y:2007:i:4:p:807-817
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rivara, F.P. & Calonge, N. & Thompson, R.S., 1989. "Population-based study of unintentional injury incidence and impact during childhood," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 79(8), pages 990-994.
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    Cited by:

    1. Blum, Lauren S. & Khan, Rasheda & Hyder, Adnan A. & Shahanaj, Sabina & El Arifeen, Shams & Baqui, Abdullah, 2009. "Childhood drowning in Matlab, Bangladesh: An in-depth exploration of community perceptions and practices," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1720-1727, May.
    2. Morrongiello, Barbara & Schmidt, Sarah & Schell, Stacy L., 2010. "Sibling supervision and young children's risk of injury: A comparison of mothers' and older siblings' reactions to risk taking by a younger child in the family," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(5), pages 958-965, September.
    3. Blaabæk, Ea Hoppe & Andersen, Lars Højsgaard & Fallesen, Peter, 2024. "From unequal injuries to unequal learning? Socioeconomic gradients in childhood concussions and the impact on children's academic performance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    4. Morrongiello, Barbara A. & Schell, Stacey L. & Keleher, Bethany, 2013. "Advancing our understanding of sibling supervision and injury risk for young children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 208-213.
    5. Hafford, Carol, 2010. "Sibling caretaking in immigrant families: Understanding cultural practices to inform child welfare practice and evaluation," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 294-302, August.
    6. Hao, Jun & Hsueh, Yeh & Kitzmann, Katherine, 2023. "An exploratory study of salient family risk factors in relation to preschoolers’ unintentional injury in northwest China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    7. Mónica Ruiz-Casares & José Ignacio Nazif-Muñoz & René Iwo & Youssef Oulhote, 2018. "Nonadult Supervision of Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Results from 61 National Population-Based Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-27, July.

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