Date of Award

Spring 4-10-2018

Document Type

Distinction Paper

Degree Name

Psychology-BS

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Meredith Frey, Ph.D.

First Committee Member

Dr. Cynthia Laurie-Rose, Ph.D.

Second Committee Member

Dr. Meredith Frey, Ph.D.

Third Committee Member

Dr. Meredith Meyer, Ph.D.

Keywords

Unintentional Injury, Executive Function, Injury, Motor Ability, Minor Injury, Children

Subject Categories

Child Psychology | Developmental Psychology | Experimental Analysis of Behavior | Health Psychology

Abstract

Abstract

This study builds off of previous research developed by Bennett Murphy and colleagues (Bennet Murphy, Gilliland, & Griswold-Rhymer, 2001; Bennett Murphy, Murphy, & Laurie-Rose, 2001) by examining executive function (EF) in an attempt to isolate the aspects of attention that may contribute to unintentional injury. The aim of the present study was to explore whether a relationship exists between EF, motor ability, and unintentional injury in preschool aged children. This study consisted of 13 preschool children between the ages of 5 and 6 who were recruited from two Catholic preschools located in Ohio. All children took part in two different tests assessing EF and motor ability. Parents of the participating children completed a Retrospective Minor Injury survey, dealing with injuries their child experienced in the past, and a Daily Injury Log that documented how many injuries their child sustained every day. Data from the EF, motor ability, and injury surveys were analyzed to determine whether or not a relationship exists. Results showed no correlation between EF, motor ability, and unintentional injury. However, results give more insight to how much children are injured and what types of injury are most prevalent in preschool aged children.

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