Parenting Influences on Bicycle Helmet Rules and Estimations of Children's Helmet Use

Abstract

The present study examined the potential relationship between parenting variables and estimations of children's bicycle helmet use. Parents (N = 121) completed surveys asking about parental monitoring and questions about their bicycle habits and attitudes, as well as their expectations for their children to wear a helmet and their estimation of how often their children wear a helmet. Parents reported stronger helmet rules for their children who are beginning cyclists rather than experienced cyclists, and rules for experienced cyclists were more strongly endorsed among parents who reported more parental monitoring as well. Parents who wear helmets themselves endorsed stronger helmet rules for their experienced riders, compared to parents who do not wear helmets. Parents without helmet rules reported more peer pressure in that they were more likely to agree that their friends do not make their kids wear helmets and that their child's friends do not wear helmets. In addition, believing other parents do not wear helmets and believing one's child's friends do not wear helmets were both associated with a lower likelihood that their children wear a helmet. This appears to be the first study linking perceptions of parental peer pressure with helmet rules and use. For public health reasons, it is imperative to examine parental factors that may establish children's helmet wearing.

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale: Psychometric Properties and Form Equivalence

“…Whether the results refl ect processes in young adults from a variety of ethnic backgrounds is not known. For example, Ross, Brinson, and Ross (2014 ) reported Caucasians had stronger parental rules as children to wear a helmet and stronger beliefs that helmets promote safety than non-Caucasians. Additionally, a more diverse sample with regard to age, sex, and ethnicity will allow for a wider range of health-promoting or healthdefeating behaviors to be explored and how these relate to existing health problems among respondents.…”

Pediatric Medical Emergencies and Injury Prevention Practices in the Pediatric Emergency Unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

“…Interventions to increase helmet and seatbelt usage are difficult and have mixed results 41,42 . Fortunately, parental practices are effective at increasing use of helmets and seatbelts in children 43,44 . Emergency Department encounters are an opportunity for clinicians to provide injury prevention guidance to both parents and children 45 .…”

“…41,42 Fortunately, parental practices are effective at increasing use of helmets and seatbelts in children. 43,44 Emergency Department encounters are an opportunity for clinicians to provide injury prevention guidance to both parents and children. 45 Clinicians may guide parental practices through "teachable moments" that occur during medical crises when parents and children are more likely to reflect on changing their risky behavior.…”

Review of gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnic background considerations reported in active school travel intervention studies

“…Regarding gendered patterns of helmet-use, for example, it was noted that boys were less likely to use a helmet than girls prior to a helmet use policy being enacted, but boys and girls had similar rates after the policy, correcting the disparity [119]. Research suggests that parental norms were more protective of girls [22], girls lacked experience and competence riding a bicycle [81], and that parents enforced stronger helmet rules for children that are less experienced cyclists [137]. Consequently, parents' helmet rules may have been stronger for girls than boys.…”