Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths for children in Canada and the United States. Previous research has shown that engaging in physical risk taking increases injury risk for school-age children and a positive elevated mood state is associated with greater physical risk taking by children.
In an article recently published in the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science (CJBS), Barbara A. Morrongiello, Mackenzie Seasons, Emily Weinberger, and Caroline Zolis examined whether exposing children to framed messages about safety could reduce risk behaviors when they are in a positive elevated mood state and playing in a situation with injury risks. Read the article spotlight here.