Date of Award

8-2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Amy Damashek, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Scott Gaynor, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Wayne Fuqua, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Kirsten Bonifacio, Ph.D.

Keywords

Bleeding disorders, caregiver supervision, pediatric injury, unintentional injury

Abstract

Abstract: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for young children in the United States, and children with chronic medical conditions such as bleeding disorders are at elevated risk for injury and more severe outcomes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021; Mayes et al., 2009; Shen et al., 2016). While caregiver supervision is a known strategy for injury prevention (Damashek & Corlis, 2017; Morrongiello et al., 2011), limited research has examined how supervision beliefs and practices differ for caregivers of children with bleeding disorders. The present study compared caregiver supervision, injury attitudes, and injury history between caregivers of children with bleeding disorders and caregivers of children without bleeding disorders.

Method: A total of 60 caregivers (30 caregivers of children with bleeding disorders; 30 caregivers of children without bleeding disorders) of children aged 1–5 years completed questionnaires about their supervisory beliefs, practices, attitudes, child’s injury frequency, and child’s externalizing behavior.

Results: ANCOVA and Quade non-parametric ANCOVA were used to assess group differences, controlling for demographic covariates. Caregivers of children with bleeding disorders reported significantly greater direct supervision (F(1, 55) = 8.66, p = .005), but there were no group differences in total supervision, protectiveness, risk tolerance, or fate beliefs. Attitudes toward the developmental value of injuries did not differ between groups. Although minor injury rates were similar, children with bleeding disorders had significantly more lifetime injuries requiring medical attention (F(1, 57) = 4.00, p = .050). Children with bleeding disorders also showed significantly higher externalizing behavior scores on the CBCL (t(58) = -4.59, p < .001). Findings suggest that while increased supervision may be present, injury risk in children with bleeding disorders remains elevated, indicating a need for tailored prevention strategies.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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