Playing it safe: The relationship between parent attitudes to risk and injury, and children’s adventurous play and physical activity

Children naturally seek risk in play and adventurous play outdoors confers many benefits, including the potential to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parent attitudes to risk and injury, and their elementary school-aged...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology of sport and exercise 2024-01, Vol.70, p.102536, Article 102536
Main Authors: Jerebine, Alethea, Mohebbi, Mohammadreza, Lander, Natalie, Eyre, Emma L.J., Duncan, Michael J., Barnett, Lisa M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Active play
Adult
Affordances
Australia - epidemiology
Child
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Mothers
MVPA
Parents
Physical literacy
Recreation
Risky play
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Children naturally seek risk in play and adventurous play outdoors confers many benefits, including the potential to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parent attitudes to risk and injury, and their elementary school-aged child’s daily adventurous play and MVPA. A panel sample of 645 Australian parents/guardians completed an online survey consisting of several validated measures of risk and injury attitudes, and physical activity and play behaviour. Data were analysed via descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable regressions using Stata 17. A series of exploratory univariate logistic regressions were conducted, followed by a series of multivariable logistic regressions fitted to test the association between parent risk and injury attitudes and (i) children’s MVPA, (ii) active play and (iii) adventurous play, while adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Most adult participants (81%) were female. The mean age of the child participants (53% male) was 8.6 years (SD = 2.4). On average, parents were positive about children’s engagement with risk, however, 78% of parents had low tolerance of risk when presented with specific play scenarios, and attitudes towards injuries varied, with mothers more concerned than fathers. After adjusting for confounders, children with parents who were tolerant of risk in play were more likely to meet the MVPA guideline of ≥60 min daily (OR 2.86, CI: 1.41, 5.82, p 
ISSN:1469-0292
1878-5476
1878-5476
DOI:10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102536