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Parental Assessment of Benefits and of Dangers Determines Children’s Permission to Play Outdoors

Author

Listed:
  • Boris Jidovtseff

    (Department of Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

  • Florence Pirard

    (Department of Education and Training, Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

  • Anne Martin

    (MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G3 7HR, UK)

  • Paul McCrorie

    (MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G3 7HR, UK)

  • Andora Vidal

    (Department of Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium
    Teaching Department, HELMo University College, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

  • Elodie Pools

    (Department of Education and Training, Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

Abstract

During the early years, children’s outdoor play is dependent on parental supervision. Parents’ perceptions are likely to influence what the child is permitted to do. To better understand the involved mechanisms in parents’ decision making in such contexts, an online photo-based questionnaire was administered. The tool investigates, in different situations, parents and their children’s experience, parents’ perceptions, and permission to play. A total of 417 parents of children aged from 1.5 and 6.0 completed the questionnaire. Results showed that parents, overall, have a positive attitude towards outdoor play. Main concerns were about risk of injury but in most cases, perceived benefits outweigh perceived dangers. “Sawing wood” was the only situation with a negative benefits/dangers balance. A linear regression analysis revealed that permission to play outdoors is based on parental assessment of benefits and dangers. Perceived benefits appeared to have more influence on parental decision than perceived dangers, while perceived competence had only a small influence. The results also showed that parents’ childhood experience of outdoor play was an important determinant for adults’ perceptions, perhaps demonstrating intergenerational concerns, as outdoor play is in decline. To overcome a negative intergenerational effect on children’s outdoor play, interventions and communication should focus on associated benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Boris Jidovtseff & Florence Pirard & Anne Martin & Paul McCrorie & Andora Vidal & Elodie Pools, 2022. "Parental Assessment of Benefits and of Dangers Determines Children’s Permission to Play Outdoors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-22, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11467-:d:912779
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Charlotte Jelleyman & Julia McPhee & Mariana Brussoni & Anita Bundy & Scott Duncan, 2019. "A Cross-Sectional Description of Parental Perceptions and Practices Related to Risky Play and Independent Mobility in Children: The New Zealand State of Play Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Linda Foettinger & Friederike Doerwald & Karin Bammann, 2021. "Understanding parental risk perception regarding unintentional injuries of infants and toddlers within the home: a grounded theory approach," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(11), pages 1439-1449, November.
    3. repec:mpr:mprres:4706 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Mariana Brussoni & Rebecca Gibbons & Casey Gray & Takuro Ishikawa & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Guylaine Chabot & Pamela Fuselli & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Picket, 2015. "What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-32, June.
    5. Karolina Boxberger & Anne Kerstin Reimers, 2019. "Parental Correlates of Outdoor Play in Boys and Girls Aged 0 to 12—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    6. Avril Johnstone & Anne Martin & Rita Cordovil & Ingunn Fjørtoft & Susanna Iivonen & Boris Jidovtseff & Frederico Lopes & John J. Reilly & Hilary Thomson & Valerie Wells & Paul McCrorie, 2022. "Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children’s Social, Emotional and Cognitive Development: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-30, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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