Previous Injuries and Behavior Problems Predict Children's Injuries

Investigated factors related to unintentional injuries in 50children from summer day camps for economically underprivilegedyouth. Data were collected on parent reports of children's previousmedically treated injuries, Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory(ECBI) scores, and the day camp's incident reports of injuries.One year later, parents completed a second questionnaire aboutmedically and home-treated injuries. Multiple linear regressionindicated that previous medically treated injury, ECBI oppositionscore, and injury at camp accounted for 50% of the varianceof medically treated injuries in the year after camp. Previousmedically treated injury accounted for 21% of the variance infrequent home-treated injuries during the year after camp. Childrenwho have behavior problems may behave in ways that predisposethem to common injuries. Conceptualizing injury as a behavioralprocess suggests behavior change strategies to reduce injuryrisk and ways to target children for injury prevention efforts