Parent-reported injury-associated behaviors and life events among injured, ill, and well preschool children

Abstract

Injury and illness pose significant morbidity problems for preschool children and are the primary reasons for emergency department visits. Parents' reports about their children's behaviors and life events were studied within Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings. Injury, illness, and wellness served as measures of change. This correlational study sought to determine differences in the numbers and types of parent-reported injury-associated behaviors and life events among injured, ill, and well preschool children. Consenting parents of 151 preschool children who presented to a pediatric emergency service for treatment of injuries, illnesses, and well child care completed the Injury Behavior Checklist, the Life Event Scale-Children, and a demographic data sheet. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Significant differences were found with respect to age, sex, ethnicity, parents' socioeconomic and marital status, and attendance at daycare or preschool. There were no differences in the numbers and types of behaviors or in the numbers of life events. However, there were differences in the types of life events. The absence of differences was attributed to the lack of conceptual congruence between the instruments and the Rogerian model. Future studies should use instruments derived from this model.