Journal of Pediatric Psychology 29(6) pp. 447-455, 2004
Journal of Pediatric Psychology vol. 29 no. 6 © Society of Pediatric Psychology 2004; all rights reserved
Perceived Risk, Risk Taking, Estimation of Ability and Injury Among Adolescent Sport Participants
University of New Orleans
All correspondence should be sent to Anthony P. Kontos, PhD, University of New Orleans, 109 Human Performance Center, New Orleans, LA 70148. E-mail: akontos{at}uno.edu.
Objective To determine the predictive validity of perceived risk, risk taking, estimation of ability, overefficacy, and previous injuries on actual injury among adolescents in sport; and to examine sex differences on these factors. Methods A cohort of 260 (148 male, 112 female) soccer players aged 11 to 14 years participated in a 3-month prospective injury study. Preseason written measures included self-reported perceived risk, previous injuries, risk taking and estimation of ability. Results Low levels of perceived risk and estimation of ability were associated with a significant increase in risk of injury, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 3.77–7.92. Positive relationships between injury and both estimation of ability and overestimation of ability were supported. Estimation of ability was also positively related to risk taking. In this study, however, risk taking was not directly related to injury, nor were previous injuries. Girls reported higher levels of perceived risk and lower levels of risk taking than boys. However, boys and girls reported similar estimation of ability and overestimation of ability and subsequently incurred similar numbers of injuries. Conclusions Perceived risk and estimation of ability represent significant psychological risk factors for injury in adolescent sports. Sex differences in perceived risk, risk taking, and previous injuries should be considered when developing environmental and behavioral injury-prevention programs.
Key words: injury; perceived risk; risk taking; estimation of ability; adolescents; sports.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M Romiti, C F Finch, and B Gabbe A prospective cohort study of the incidence of injuries among junior Australian football players: evidence for an effect of playing-age level Br. J. Sports Med., June 1, 2008; 42(6): 441 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Timpka, O. Risto, and M. Bjormsjo Boys soccer league injuries: a community-based study of time-loss from sports participation and long-term sequelae Eur J Public Health, February 1, 2008; 18(1): 19 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. Janssen, S. Dostaler, W. F. Boyce, and W. Pickett Influence of Multiple Risk Behaviors on Physical Activity-Related Injuries in Adolescents Pediatrics, March 1, 2007; 119(3): e672 - e680. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B J Gabbe, C F Finch, P A Cameron, and O D Williamson Incidence of serious injury and death during sport and recreation activities in Victoria, Australia Br. J. Sports Med., August 1, 2005; 39(8): 573 - 577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|