Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

27-05-2020 | Original Paper

Parental Fear about Children’s Safety When Independently Mobile: Development and Validation of Two Measures

Auteurs: Amanda R. Cooklin, Rebecca Giallo, Shannon K. Bennetts, Sharinne Crawford, Fabrizio D’Esposito, Stephen R. Zubrick, Naomi J. Hackworth, Jan Matthews, Julie Green, Jan M. Nicholson

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 8/2020

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Children’s freedom to navigate their environment independently is associated with greater physical activity and enhanced physical, social and emotional development. Parental fear is a recognized barrier to children’s independent mobility, however there are scant reliable tools to measure this fear. We report on the development and validation of two brief scales to assess parental fear, ‘Parental Fear’ (PF) and ‘Fear of Strangers’ (FoS). Specifically, we aimed to: confirm the construct validity of the scales; establish discriminant validity between PF, FoS and parents’ mental health (as measured on the Kessler-6); assess the internal consistency and test–retest reliability of PF and FoS; and establish predictive validity with children’s independent mobility. Development was conducted in five steps: (1) item pool generation; (2) a development study; (3) a validation study in a statewide sample (Victoria, Australia) of parents of children (9–15 years, n = 1973); (4) a reliability assessment; and (5) an examination of predictive validity with respect to children’s independent mobility. Two brief, robust, and internally consistent measures were established (PF, four-items; FoS, five-items), which discriminated from parent’s mental health. Both measures had strong internal consistency and temporal stability. Predictive validity was established; parents who reported higher PF and FoS were less likely to allow their children to engage in a range of independent activities without an adult. These scales contribute novel valid tools for use in public health and intervention research aimed at reducing parental fear as a barrier to children’s independent mobility and resultant physical activity.
Literatuur
go back to reference Bennetts, S. K., Cooklin, A. R., Crawford, S., D’Esposito, F., Hackworth, N. J., Green, J., & Nicholson, J. M. (2018). What influences parents’ fear about children’s independent mobility? Evidence from a state-wide survey of Australian parents. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(3), 667–676. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117740442.CrossRefPubMed Bennetts, S. K., Cooklin, A. R., Crawford, S., D’Esposito, F., Hackworth, N. J., Green, J., & Nicholson, J. M. (2018). What influences parents’ fear about children’s independent mobility? Evidence from a state-wide survey of Australian parents. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(3), 667–676. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1177/​0890117117740442​.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Cooklin, A., Giallo, R., D’Esposito, F., Crawford, S., & Nicholson, J. (2013). Postpartum maternal separation anxiety, overprotective parenting, and children’s social-emotional well-being: longitudinal evidence from an Australian cohort. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(4), 618–628. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033332.CrossRefPubMed Cooklin, A., Giallo, R., D’Esposito, F., Crawford, S., & Nicholson, J. (2013). Postpartum maternal separation anxiety, overprotective parenting, and children’s social-emotional well-being: longitudinal evidence from an Australian cohort. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(4), 618–628. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​a0033332.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference DeVellis, R. (2003). Scale development: theory and applications. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. DeVellis, R. (2003). Scale development: theory and applications. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
go back to reference Hancock, G. R., & Mueller, R. O. (2006). Structural equation modeling: a second course. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing. Hancock, G. R., & Mueller, R. O. (2006). Structural equation modeling: a second course. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
go back to reference Hillman, M., Adams, J., & Whitelegg, J. (1990). One false move… a study of children’s independent mobility. London: Policy Studies Institute. Hillman, M., Adams, J., & Whitelegg, J. (1990). One false move… a study of children’s independent mobility. London: Policy Studies Institute.
go back to reference Johansson, M. (2006). Environment and parental factors as determinants of mode for children’s leisure travel. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 26(2), 156–169.CrossRef Johansson, M. (2006). Environment and parental factors as determinants of mode for children’s leisure travel. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 26(2), 156–169.CrossRef
go back to reference Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2013). Mplus user’s guide. 7th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén. Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2013). Mplus user’s guide. 7th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.
go back to reference Page, A., Cooper, A., Griew, P., Davis, L., & Hillsdon, M. (2009). Independent mobility in relation to weekday and weekend physical activity in children aged 10-11 years: the PEACH Project. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 6(1), 9.CrossRef Page, A., Cooper, A., Griew, P., Davis, L., & Hillsdon, M. (2009). Independent mobility in relation to weekday and weekend physical activity in children aged 10-11 years: the PEACH Project. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 6(1), 9.CrossRef
go back to reference Prezza, M., Pilloni, S., Morabito, C., Sersante, C., Alparone, F. R., & Giuliani, M. V. (2001). The influence of psychosocial and environmental factors on children’s independent mobility and relationship to peer frequentation. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 11(6), 435–450. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.643.CrossRef Prezza, M., Pilloni, S., Morabito, C., Sersante, C., Alparone, F. R., & Giuliani, M. V. (2001). The influence of psychosocial and environmental factors on children’s independent mobility and relationship to peer frequentation. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 11(6), 435–450. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​casp.​643.CrossRef
go back to reference Smith, M., Amann, R., Cavadino, A., Raphael, D., Kearns, R., Mackett, R., & Witten, K. (2019). Children’s transport built environments: a mixed methods study of associations between perceived and objective measures and relationships with parent licence for independent mobility in Auckland, New Zealand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(1361), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081361.CrossRef Smith, M., Amann, R., Cavadino, A., Raphael, D., Kearns, R., Mackett, R., & Witten, K. (2019). Children’s transport built environments: a mixed methods study of associations between perceived and objective measures and relationships with parent licence for independent mobility in Auckland, New Zealand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(1361), 1–22. https://​doi.​org/​10.​3390/​ijerph16081361.CrossRef
go back to reference Trapp, G., Giles-Corti, B., Christian, H., Bulsara, M., Timperio, A., McCormack, G., & Villaneuva, K. (2012). On your bike! a cross-sectional study of the individual, social and environmental correlates of cycling to school. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8(1), 123. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-123.CrossRef Trapp, G., Giles-Corti, B., Christian, H., Bulsara, M., Timperio, A., McCormack, G., & Villaneuva, K. (2012). On your bike! a cross-sectional study of the individual, social and environmental correlates of cycling to school. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8(1), 123. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1186/​1479-5868-8-123.CrossRef
go back to reference Trapp, G., Giles-Corti, B., Christian, H. E., Bulsara, M., Timperio, A. F., McCormack, G. R., & Villanueva, K. P. (2012). Increasing children’s physical activity: individual, social, and environmental factors associated with walking to and from school. Health Education & Behavior, 39(2), 172–182. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198111423272.CrossRef Trapp, G., Giles-Corti, B., Christian, H. E., Bulsara, M., Timperio, A. F., McCormack, G. R., & Villanueva, K. P. (2012). Increasing children’s physical activity: individual, social, and environmental factors associated with walking to and from school. Health Education & Behavior, 39(2), 172–182. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1177/​1090198111423272​.CrossRef
go back to reference Trayers, T., Deem, R., Fox, K. R., Riddoch, C. J., Ness, A. R., & Lawlor, D. A. (2006). Improving health through neighbourhood environmental change: are we speaking the same language? A qualitative study of views of different stakeholders. Journal of Public Health, 28(1), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdi075.CrossRefPubMed Trayers, T., Deem, R., Fox, K. R., Riddoch, C. J., Ness, A. R., & Lawlor, D. A. (2006). Improving health through neighbourhood environmental change: are we speaking the same language? A qualitative study of views of different stakeholders. Journal of Public Health, 28(1), 49–55. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1093/​pubmed/​fdi075.CrossRefPubMed
Metagegevens
Titel
Parental Fear about Children’s Safety When Independently Mobile: Development and Validation of Two Measures
Auteurs
Amanda R. Cooklin
Rebecca Giallo
Shannon K. Bennetts
Sharinne Crawford
Fabrizio D’Esposito
Stephen R. Zubrick
Naomi J. Hackworth
Jan Matthews
Julie Green
Jan M. Nicholson
Publicatiedatum
27-05-2020
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 8/2020
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01712-6