Parental Beliefs Regarding Developmental Benefits of Childhood Injuries

Objective: To assess parental beliefs that minor childhood injuries play a beneficial role in the development of young children. Methods: Mothers and fathers of 159 children, ages 15 to 40 months, completed the Injury Attitudes Questionnaire (IAQ), designed to assess parental beliefs that children learn from and toughen up as a result of experiencing minor injuries. Results: A main effect for parent gender was found such that fathers endorsed stronger beliefs than did mothers regarding the developmental benefits of injuries. Conclusions: The accuracy of these beliefs as well as their relevance to parental injury-prevention behaviors is discussed