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Infant Drowning Prevention: Insights from a New Ecological Psychology Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Carolina Burnay

    (School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand)

  • David I. Anderson

    (Marian Wright Edelman Institute, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA)

  • Chris Button

    (School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand)

  • Rita Cordovil

    (CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1495-751 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal)

  • Amy E. Peden

    (School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
    College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

Abstract

Drowning causes significant mortality and morbidity globally, and infants (0–4 years of age) are disproportionately impacted. In a groundbreaking approach to pediatric drowning prevention, ecological psychology has been used to investigate the relationship between infants’ perceptual–motor development and their behavior around bodies of water. In this review, we summarize recent research findings in the field of ecological psychology and apply these to the prevention of infant drowning. Studies have linked infants’ avoidance of falls into the water with locomotor experience and type of accessway into bodies of water. Through crawling experience, infants learn to perceive the risk of falling into water and start adapting their behavior to avoid drop-offs leading into water. Infants tend to enter deep water more when the access is via a slope than via a drop-off. We propose that ecological psychology can enhance infant drowning prevention interventions. The aim is to create an additional layer of protection, the perceptual information layer, in addition to existing strategies, such as supervision and barriers. This new protective layer can be a powerful tool to further highlight the risk of entering the water and reduce infant drowning-related mortality and morbidity.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolina Burnay & David I. Anderson & Chris Button & Rita Cordovil & Amy E. Peden, 2022. "Infant Drowning Prevention: Insights from a New Ecological Psychology Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4567-:d:790891
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Morgenstern, H. & Bingham, T. & Reza, A., 2000. "Effects of pool-fencing ordinances and other factors on childhood drowning in Los Angeles County, 1990-1995," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(4), pages 595-601.
    2. Aminur Rahman & Olakunle Alonge & Al-Amin Bhuiyan & Priyanka Agrawal & Shumona Sharmin Salam & Abu Talab & Qazi Sadeq-ur Rahman & Adnan A. Hyder, 2017. "Epidemiology of Drowning in Bangladesh: An Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-11, May.
    3. Richard C. Franklin & Amy E. Peden, 2017. "Improving Pool Fencing Legislation in Queensland, Australia: Attitudes and Impact on Child Drowning Fatalities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-15, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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