Children's Behavioral Traits and Risk of Injury: Analyses from a Case-Control Study of Agricultural Households

Authors

• Kathleen F. Carlson, Polytrauma and Blast-Related Injuries QUERI, Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, VA Medical Center (152/2E), One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MNFollow
• Susan G. Gerberich, Regional Injury Prevention Research Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MMC 807, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MNFollow
• Bruce H. Alexander, Regional Injury Prevention Research Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MMC 807, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MNFollow
• Ann S. Masten, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
• Timothy R. Church, Regional Injury Prevention Research Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MMC 807, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN
• John M. Shutske, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 1450 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
• Andrew D. Ryan, Regional Injury Prevention Research Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MMC 807, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN
• Colleen M. Renier, Division of Education and Research, St. Mary's Duluth Clinic Health System, 5AV2ME, 400 E. 3rd Street, Duluth, MN 55805, USA

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in Journal of Safety Research(2009).

Abstract

Problem: Children on family agricultural operations have high risk of injury. The association between children's behavioral traits and their risk of injury is not well understood. Method: Data from the Regional Rural Injury Study-II were used to assess behavioral risk factors for injury to children ages six to <20 years. A total of 379 injury events (cases) and 1,562 randomly selected controls were identified. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), calculated using logistic regression, were used to estimate injury risk in reference to behavioral traits. Results: Injury risks were greater for children with high levels of depressive symptoms (OR=1.9, CI=1.0-3.7) and aggression (OR=1.6, CI=0.9-2.7), and low levels of careful/cautious behavior (OR=1.8, CI=1.1-2.9). Children with low levels of self-regulation had reduced risks (OR=0.4, CI=0.2-0.8). Discussion: Results suggest that children's behaviors affect their risk of agricultural injury. Additional research could elucidate mechanisms and inform interventions. Impact on industry: The development of multifaceted, sustainable approaches for prevention is necessary for this unique population. These findings suggest a need for interventions that incorporate specific behavior-related risk factors in the context of family farms and ranches.