Does Previous Injury Influence Parental Risk Perception In Junior Sport?

Abstract

PURPOSE: to determine the impact of previous injuries, not requiring hospitalization, on parental perceptions of future injury risk. METHODS: 715 parents from 3 of the top 5 junior winter team sports by participation number (Australian Football n=516, Soccer n = 144, Field Hockey n = 55) in Western Australia completed the online, multi dimensional survey. RESULTS: The proportion of children experiencing an injury not requiring hospitalization was similar between Australian Football (43.8%) and Field Hockey (44.4%) and lowest in soccer (34.5%). Children playing soccer report significantly less injuries not requiring hospitalization (mean 0.8, sd=1.1) compared to children playing Australian Football (mean 1.2, sd=1.8) and field hockey (mean 1.1, sd=1.3) (F=3.413, p=0.034). Compared to parents whose child has not had an injury, there is a significant increase in the perceived risk of serious injury during game play and a significant decrease in perceived overall susceptibility to serious injury among parents whose child has had a previous injury not requiring hospitalization. Previous concussion (p=0.017), fracture (p=0.037), sprain (p=0.028) and strain (p=0.016) predicted lower susceptibility to serious injury scores, whereas bruises (p=0.035) and sprains (p=0.010) predicted higher risk of injury scores. CONCLUSION: Although parents perceive a risk of injury during sporting games and competition, this risk is decreased after a player sustains a more serious injury that does not require hospitalization (eg. Concussion). This perhaps indicates a more protective perception perceived following an injury due to more risk protective behaviours practiced.