Process analysis provides a way to analyze the antecedents, stages of response, and consequences of injury-risk situations. It may aid scientists in conceptualizing these situations and provide additional methods of assessing intervention strategies. Examples of such an assessment system and a discussion of its advantages are presented. (VM)

In 1980 recommendations were made to prevent child injuries. They addressed the following topics: (1) motor vehicle safety; (2) home and neighborhood safety; and (3) the development of a national data base from which policy can be formulated. There is evidence that progress has been made since the morbidity and mortality rates for accidents have…

This introduction to a special issue describes children's injuries in statistical, historical, and social terms. The following key concepts are presented: (1) Childhood injuries are neither random, unavoidable, nor inexplicable; (2) various disciplines suggest different interventions; (3) individuals or populations may be targeted for prevention…

The reduction of disability and death from childhood injury can be achieved through structural modifications which make environments less permissive. The structural approach suggests preventive strategies, but the strategies must be used, must not require frequent individual action, and must not depend on the behavior of the children. (VM)

The reasoning of caregivers is discussed in the context of preventing childhood accidents. This reasoning process, which uses knowledge about children's behavior in an environment, leads to appropriate preventive actions on the part of the caregiver. Illustrative examples of parents interacting with children are presented. (VM)

Behavioral science has contributed many types of interventions for preventing injury to children. Child safety in four areas is reviewed using the following behavioral approaches: (1) rewards and punishments; (2) modeling; (3) prompting and feedback; (4) skills development; and (5) guided practice. Ways to maintain the changed behavior must be…

Attention and efforts must be focused on the prevention of childhood injuries. Governmental agencies must increase their involvement. One model of such involvement is a program in Massachusetts which implemented a strategic injury prevention plan. Schools, health departments and other child service agencies must pool their resources for this…

Research findings have been used by states to formulate legislation to increase child passenger safety. Case studies from Kansas and Illinois are presented. The process is most successful when researchers are sensitive to the policy making process. The implications for the use of psychological research findings are discussed. (VM)

Research on children injured inadvertently has generally led to the notion of accident proneness. This does not lead to the creation of preventive strategies. Longitudinal research is proposed for studying the behaviors of children in conjunction with their injury history. Developmental psychological characteristics are important considerations in…

This literature review contrasts those studies that emphasize changes in knowledge or behavior to prevent childhood injuries with studies that report actual reductions in injuries. The most successful programs are those based on social learning principles and those that combine education with legislative change or modifications in regulations. (VM)