Parental assessment of benefits and of dangers determines children’s permission to play outdoors

Jidovtseff, B., Pirard, F., Martin, A. , McCrorie, P. , Vidal, A. and Pools, E. (2022) Parental assessment of benefits and of dangers determines children’s permission to play outdoors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11467. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811467) (PMID:36141739) (PMCID:PMC9517668)

Abstract

During the early years, children’s outdoor play is dependent on parental supervision. Parents’ perceptions are likely to influence what the child is permitted to do. To better understand the involved mechanisms in parents’ decision making in such contexts, an online photo-based questionnaire was administered. The tool investigates, in different situations, parents and their children’s experience, parents’ perceptions, and permission to play. A total of 417 parents of children aged from 1.5 and 6.0 completed the questionnaire. Results showed that parents, overall, have a positive attitude towards outdoor play. Main concerns were about risk of injury but in most cases, perceived benefits outweigh perceived dangers. “Sawing wood” was the only situation with a negative benefits/dangers balance. A linear regression analysis revealed that permission to play outdoors is based on parental assessment of benefits and dangers. Perceived benefits appeared to have more influence on parental decision than perceived dangers, while perceived competence had only a small influence. The results also showed that parents’ childhood experience of outdoor play was an important determinant for adults’ perceptions, perhaps demonstrating intergenerational concerns, as outdoor play is in decline. To overcome a negative intergenerational effect on children’s outdoor play, interventions and communication should focus on associated benefits.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Martin, Dr Anne and Mccrorie, Dr Paul

Creator Roles

Martin, A.: Writing – review and editing
McCrorie, P.: Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Jidovtseff, B., Pirard, F., Martin, A., McCrorie, P., Vidal, A., and Pools, E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• ISSN (Online): 1660-4601
• Published Online: 12 September 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(18): 11467
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
72766	1	Complexity in Health Improvement	Laurence Moore	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/14	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
304823	1	Complexity in health	Sharon Simpson	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_00022/1	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72766	1	Complexity in Health Improvement	Laurence Moore	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU14	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
304823	1	Complexity in health	Sharon Simpson	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU16	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72762	1	Neighbourhoods and Communities	Anne Ellaway	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/10	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
304823	1	Places and health	Rich Mitchell	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_00022/4	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72762	1	Neighbourhoods and Communities	Anne Ellaway	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU10	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
304823	1	Places and health	Rich Mitchell	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU19	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit