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Towner E, Chierchia G, Blakemore SJ. Sensitivity and specificity in affective and social learning in adolescence. Trends Cogn Sci 2023:S1364-6613(23)00092-X. [PMID: 37198089 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of heightened affective and social sensitivity. In this review we address how this increased sensitivity influences associative learning. Based on recent evidence from human and rodent studies, as well as advances in computational biology, we suggest that, compared to other age groups, adolescents show features of heightened Pavlovian learning but tend to perform worse than adults at instrumental learning. Because Pavlovian learning does not involve decision-making, whereas instrumental learning does, we propose that these developmental differences might be due to heightened sensitivity to rewards and threats in adolescence, coupled with a lower specificity of responding. We discuss the implications of these findings for adolescent mental health and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Towner
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Gabriele Chierchia
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
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Abstract
In 10 experiments, we investigated the relations among curiosity and people's confidence in their answers to general information questions after receiving different kinds of feedback: yes/no feedback, true or false informational feedback under uncertainty, or no feedback. The results showed that when people had given a correct answer, yes/no feedback resulted in a near complete loss of curiosity. Upon learning they had made an error via yes/no feedback, curiosity increased, especially for high-confidence errors. When people were given true feedback under uncertainty (they were given the correct answer but were not told that it was correct), curiosity increased for high-confidence errors but was unchanged for correct responses. In contrast, when people were given false feedback under uncertainty, curiosity increased for high-confidence correct responses but was unchanged for errors. These results, taken as a whole, are consistent with the region of proximal learning model which proposes that while curiosity is minimal when people are completely certain that they know the answer, it is maximal when people believe that they almost know. Manipulations that drew participants toward this region of "almost knowing" resulted in increased curiosity. A serendipitous result was the finding (replicated four times in this study) that when no feedback was given, people were more curious about high-confidence errors than they were about equally high-confidence correct answers. It was as if they had some knowledge, tapped selectively by their feelings of curiosity, that there was something special (and possibly amiss) about high-confidence errors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Somers JA, Chu K, Schwartz C, Towner E, Callaghan B. Sometimes "we" can help: parents' pronoun use buffers fear and anxiety transmission. Anxiety Stress Coping 2022; 36:488-501. [PMID: 36153744 PMCID: PMC10038937 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2022.2127694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Parents' natural language when describing health-related threats reflects parents' cognitions that may shape their transmission of anxiety and fear. Parents' greater communal focus (i.e., higher we-talk) and less self-focus (i.e., lower I-talk) may buffer against intergenerational fear/anxiety transmission. The current study investigated whether the relation between parents' and children's anxiety and pandemic-related fear differed by parent we- and I-talk. DESIGN AND METHODS Parents of 114 children (2-19 years; M = 9.75, SD = 3.73) completed online measures assessing children's and parents' anxiety and COVID-19-related fears, and engaged in a written reflection on their early pandemic experiences. The proportion of parents' we-talk and I-talk during the reflection was obtained using Linguistic Inquiry Word Count software. RESULTS Results of multilevel structural equation models were partially consistent with expectations: The protective effect of we-talk was only observed for parents with lower fear/anxiety. For parents with higher fear/anxiety, higher I-talk was associated with lower child fear/anxiety. At higher levels of parent we-talk and at lower levels of I-talk, there was an unexpectedly positive association between parents' and children's fear/anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The concordance between parents' and their children's fear/anxiety differs depending on parents' natural language when reflecting on the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Somers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristen Chu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chloe Schwartz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emily Towner
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bridget Callaghan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Towner E, Tomova L, Ladensack D, Chu K, Callaghan B. Virtual social interaction and loneliness among emerging adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Res Ecol Soc Psychol 2022; 3:100058. [PMID: 35937279 PMCID: PMC9338168 DOI: 10.1016/j.cresp.2022.100058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Many social activities moved online during the global COVID-19 pandemic, yet research investigating whether virtual social interactions facilitate social connectedness has been inconclusive. In this study, participants completed online questionnaires assessing objective social isolation, loneliness, mental health, and virtual social interactions. There was clear evidence for worsening mental health among emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic characterized by large increases in depressive symptoms (mean increase = 8.35, 95% CI [6.97, 9.73], t(118) = 118, p < .001), and large decrements in happiness (mean decrease = -0.71, 95% CI [-0.84, -0.57], t(118) = 10.09, p < .001) and social satisfaction (mean decrease = -0.81, 95% CI [-1.00,-0.62], t(115) = 8.28, p < .001) post-pandemic onset. In line with expectations, those living in larger households amid the pandemic reported lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of happiness. A negative association was found between household size (an index of objective social isolation) and loneliness, b = -3.01, t(79) = 2.60, p = .011, 95% CI [-5.32, -0.71], and a positive association was found between household size and happiness, b = 22.86, t(75) = 3.30, p = .001, 95% CI [9.06, 36.65]. However, contrary to expectations, there was no association between loneliness and frequency of virtual social interactions. There was also no association between frequency of virtual social interactions and either happiness or depression. More research investigating social connectedness in the context of virtual social interactions is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Towner
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology
| | - Livia Tomova
- University of Cambridge, Department of Psychology
| | | | - Kristen Chu
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology
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Towner E, Grint J, Levy T, Blakemore SJ, Tomova L. Revealing the self in a digital world: a systematic review of adolescent online and offline self-disclosure. Curr Opin Psychol 2022; 45:PMC10561581. [PMID: 37941912 PMCID: PMC7615289 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is an important stage of social development. While adolescents are prominent adopters of social media, little is known about whether digital interactions can fulfil the social needs of this age group. Here, we focus on one component of social interaction: self-disclosure. In a systematic review, we investigate the role of self-disclosure in adolescent relationships and the differences between online and offline self-disclosure. The results suggest that self-disclosure is associated with higher relationship quality and well-being. Online self-disclosure appears to be less fulfilling and beneficial for relationship quality than face-to-face self-disclosure. However, certain populations appear to benefit more from online than offline self-disclosure - such as highly anxious adolescents and boys aged 12-13 years, who prefer to first self-disclose online before engaging in offline self-disclosure. This suggests that both online and offline self-disclosure can play a role in fulfilling adolescent social needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Towner
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Tally Levy
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, UK
| | - Livia Tomova
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK
- Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, UK
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Uy JP, Schwartz C, Chu KA, Towner E, Lemus A, Brito NH, Callaghan BL. Parenting under pressure: Parental transmission and buffering of child fear during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22253. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.22253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P. Uy
- Department of Psychology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Chloe Schwartz
- Department of Psychology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Kristen A. Chu
- Department of Psychology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Emily Towner
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Alejandra Lemus
- Department of Applied Psychology New York University New York New York USA
| | - Natalie H. Brito
- Department of Applied Psychology New York University New York New York USA
| | - Bridget L. Callaghan
- Department of Psychology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
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Chu KA, Schwartz C, Towner E, Kasparian NA, Callaghan B. Parenting under pressure: A mixed-methods investigation of the impact of COVID-19 on family life. J Affect Disord Rep 2021; 5:100161. [PMID: 34642680 PMCID: PMC8497173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background development and implementation of effective family-based psychosocial intervention and treatment strategies during COVID-19 will require a detailed understanding of how the virus has impacted the lives of families. Methods written reports on the life impacts of COVID-19 for parents (n = 56) and their children (n = 43), and a questionnaire assessing parent positive and negative affect, were collected between April and May 2020. An inductive approach was used to identify themes in written reports, followed by statistical analysis to explore associations between themes and changes in parent positive and negative affect pre- and post-writing. Results parents and children reported both positive and negative psychosocial impacts of the virus, though parents expressed a greater diversity of positive themes than children. Common themes reported by parents included concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their children, health concerns for others, and the stressful balancing act of parenting, assisting with children's school work, and working from home. Many parents reported gratitude, and reflected on the upsides of the pandemic for family relationships and parent-child bonding. Parents who expressed gratitude reported a decrease in negative affect pre- to post-writing. Common child-reported themes included yearning to return to school, pandemic-related fears, and longing for social connection. Limitations the sample included a cross-section of mostly White (non-Hispanic), dual income, well-educated mothers, primarily from the United States. Conclusions both parents and children reported reduced wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should focus on identifying how to fulfill children's social needs and lessen caregivers’ burdens during this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Chu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chloe Schwartz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Nadine A Kasparian
- Cincinnati Children's Center for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bridget Callaghan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Pilkington P, Bird EL, Gray S, Towner E, Weld S, McKibben MA. Understanding the social context of fatal road traffic collisions among young people: a qualitative analysis of coroners’ records. Eur J Public Health 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt123.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Baset MK, Rahman A, Mashreky SR, Talab A, Rahman AKMF, Towner E. Road traffic injury mortality, morbidity and disability: evidence from Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey (BHIS). Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590u.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Baset MK, Mashreky SR, Rahman A, Hossain MJ, Rahman AKMF, Towner E. PRECISE—A MODEL OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN INJURY PREVENTION IN BANGLADESH—IMPLICATION FOR OTHER LOW INCOME COUNTRIES. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040580d.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Deave T, Towner E, Baset MK, Brussoni M, Pant P. CHILD INJURY PREVENTION AND THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040580b.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Baset MK, Towner E, Noor T, Rahman A, Mashreky SR, Rahman AKMF. Risk factors for road traffic injuries among school children in rural Bangladesh. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590v.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Mytton J, Towner E, Powell J, Pilkington P, Gray S. LEARNING FROM 20 YEAR TRENDS IN UNINTENTIONAL CHILD INJURY MORTALITY. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040580a.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Baset MK, Towner E, Mashreky SR, Rahman A, Biswas A, Rahman AKMF. Social autopsy: a community based intervention in preventing road traffic injuries—experience from Bangladesh. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590u.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Hayes M, Towner E, Kendrick D, Deave T, Stewart J. Implementation matters: developing an injury prevention briefing. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590d.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Turner SL, Lyons RA, Stone D, Macey SM, Barron S, Slater W, Brown P, Verne J, Lumsden E, McErlean I, Quigg Z, Hughes K, Towner E, Shepherd J, Fischbacher C, Quinn J, Frame S, McMahon S, Jessop V. Creation and development of an Injury Observatory for Britain and Ireland (IOBI). Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590p.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Baset MK, Towner E, Noor T, Rahman A, Chowdhury RA, Islam M, Rahman AKMF. Understanding road traffic injuries and prevention measures for children in rural Bangladesh: a qualitative study of community members' views. Inj Prev 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590d.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Towner E. Injury Prevention in Children: A Primer for Students and Practitioners. J Public Health (Oxf) 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdr096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Baset KU, Rahman SMS, Rahman A, Rahman AKMF, Towner E. SP6-62 "PRECISE-a model of community participation in child injury prevention in Bangladesh, implication for other low income country". Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976q.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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ul Baset MDK, Rahman AKMF, Rahman A, Mashreky SMSR, Towner E. P1-86 Epidemiology of childhood road traffic injury: in Bangladesh yield of the largest community based survey. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976c.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Phillips CJ, Humphreys I, Kendrick D, Stewart J, Hayes M, Nish L, Stone D, Coupland C, Towner E. Preventing bath water scalds: a cost-effectiveness analysis of introducing bath thermostatic mixer valves in social housing. Inj Prev 2011; 17:238-43. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.031393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Towner E, Shuaib M, Shafinaz S. Independent evaluation of the prevention of child injuries through social-intervention and education (PRECISE) programme in Bangladesh. Inj Prev 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Kendrick D, Stewart J, Smith S, Coupland C, Hopkins N, Groom L, Towner E, Hayes M, Gibson D, Ryan J, O'Donnell G, Radford D, Phillips C, Murphy R. Randomised controlled trial of thermostatic mixer valves in reducing bath hot tap water temperature in families with young children in social housing. Arch Dis Child 2011; 96:232-9. [PMID: 20554769 DOI: 10.1136/adc.2009.175059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) in reducing bath hot tap water temperature, assess acceptability of TMVs to families and impact on bath time safety practices. DESIGN Pragmatic parallel arm randomised controlled trial. SETTING A social housing organisation in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. PARTICIPANTS 124 families with at least one child under 5 years. INTERVENTION A TMV fitted by a qualified plumber and educational leaflets before and at the time of TMV fitting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bath hot tap water temperature at 3-month and 12-month post-intervention or randomisation, acceptability, problems with TMVs and bath time safety practices. RESULTS Intervention arm families had a significantly lower bath hot water temperature at 3-month and 12-month follow-up than families in the control arm (3 months: intervention arm median 45.0°C, control arm median 56.0°C, difference between medians, -11.0, 95% CI -14.3 to -7.7); 12 months: intervention arm median 46.0°C, control arm median 55.0°C, difference between medians -9.0, 95% CI -11.8 to -6.2) They were significantly more likely to be happy or very happy with their bath hot water temperature (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.93), significantly less likely to report the temperature as being too hot (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.68) and significantly less likely to report checking the temperature of every bath (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.97). Seven (15%) intervention arm families reported problems with their TMV. CONCLUSIONS TMVs and accompanying educational leaflets are effective at reducing bath hot tap water temperatures in the short and longer term and are acceptable to families. Housing providers should consider fitting TMVs in their properties and legislators should consider mandating their use in refurbishments as well as in new builds.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Kendrick
- Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Verne J, Brown P, Slater W, Towner E, Bellis MA, Anderson Z, Hughes K, Lyons RA, Turner S, Shepherd J, Barron S, Stone D, Fischbacher C, Lumsden E, Pollock A, Kirkwood G. Injury Prevention News (IPN): a free e-newsletter for the UK and Ireland. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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ul Baset MDK, Rahman AKMF, Rahman A, Mashreky SMR, Towner E. Epidemiology of childhood road traffic injury: in Bangladesh yield of the largest community based survey. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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27
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Goodenough T, Towner E, Kendrick D, Deave T, Stewart J. Keeping children safe at home: interview study of fire safety practices of parents of preschool children. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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28
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Kendrick D, Stewart J, Coupland C, Towner E, Hayes M, Gibson D, Ryan J, Odonnell G. Randomised controlled trial of thermostatic mixer valves in reducing bath hot tap water temperature in families with young children in social housing. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Mytton J, Towner E, Gray S, Emond A, Pollock J. Environmental risk factors for injuries in UK primary school aged children. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Stone D, Lyons RA, Turner S, Quigg Z, Barron S, Bellis MA, Brown P, Fischbacher C, Hughes K, Kirkwood G, Lumsden E, Pollock A, Shepherd J, Slater W, Towner E, Verne J. Creation and early development of an injury observatory for Britain and Ireland (IOBI). Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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32
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Stewart J, Deave T, Goodenough T, Towner E, Kendrick D, Pitchforth E, Sealey P. Keeping children safe at home: qualitative study of children's centre managers and staff. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Stewart J, Kendrick D, Towner E, Pitchforth E, Sealey P, Goodenough T, Deave T. Parents perceptions of barriers to and facilitators for injury prevention: a qualitative study. Inj Prev 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2010.029215.1001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Mytton J, Towner E, Brussoni M, Gray S. Unintentional injuries in school-aged children and adolescents: lessons from a systematic review of cohort studies. Inj Prev 2010; 15:111-24. [PMID: 19346424 DOI: 10.1136/ip.2008.019471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To critically synthesise current knowledge of the patterns of injuries and risk factors for injury in school-aged children, to summarise the evidence and support effective child injury prevention initiatives. DESIGN Systematic review. Selection criteria and METHODS Prospective cohort studies reporting unintentional injuries in healthy children aged 5-18 years were identified by searching 15 electronic databases and additional grey literature sources. A narrative synthesis was conducted of papers meeting quality criteria, with risk factors analysed at individual, family and environmental levels. Limitations of existing evidence were considered. RESULTS 44 papers from 18 different cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. There were broad and consistent patterns of injury across time and place. Male sex, psychological, behavioural and risk-taking behaviour problems, having a large number of siblings, and a young mother were all associated with increased injury occurrence across more than one cohort and setting. CONCLUSIONS Descriptive epidemiology and risk factors for injury were derived from prospective cohort studies, but few studies used the full potential of their design. Opportunities to use repeated measures to assess temporal changes in injury occurrence, and the exploration of risk factors, particularly those related to the child's environment, have rarely been undertaken. Few studies were conducted in low/middle-income countries where the burden of injury is greatest. These findings should be considered when planning future research and prevention initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mytton
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
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Abstract
The importance of child injuries has now been recognised as a significant public health problem internationally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have recently published the first world report on child injury prevention. As infectious diseases decline, the relative importance of injury has increased, but the pace of change of global processes means that absolute increases in injury may occur over the next 20-30 years. This paper examines child injury in a changing world by outlining the ways in which the forces of globalisation, urbanisation, motorisation and environmental change could have an impact on injury epidemiology and policy. We consider how those in public health and those in the injury field should respond to the changing world of injury. Child injury prevention needs to be incorporated into planning for the rapidly changing urban environments of low-income countries and strategies devised for the large numbers of people displaced by environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Towner
- University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
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Mulvaney C, Kendrick D, Towner E, Brussoni M, Hayes M, Powell J, Robertson S, Ward H. Fatal and non-fatal fire injuries in England 1995-2004: time trends and inequalities by age, sex and area deprivation. J Public Health (Oxf) 2008; 31:154-61. [PMID: 19074453 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdn103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To examine time trends and deprivation gradients in fire-related deaths and injuries. METHODS A cross-sectional study and time trend analysis using data on fire casualties in England between 1995 and 2004 obtained from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Injury rates were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare changes in deprivation gradients over time. RESULTS There were significant reductions in fatal and non-fatal fire injuries in children (fatal injuries IRR chi(2)(1) = 11.18, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR chi(2)(2) = 61.44, P < 0.001), adults (fatal injuries IRR chi(2)(1) = 15.99, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR chi(2)(2) = 183.25, P < 0.001) and older people (fatal injuries IRR chi(2)(1) = 56.88, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR chi(2)(2) = 54.09, P < 0.001) between 1995 and 2004. Adult and child fire deaths were most commonly caused by smokers' materials (e.g. cigarettes, cigars and tobacco), and cigarette lighters and matches, respectively. Cooking appliances caused most non-fatal fire injuries. Injury rates increased with increasing levels of deprivation and deprivation gradients did not change over 10 years. CONCLUSIONS Fire prevention interventions should promote the safe use of cooking and heating appliances and the responsible use of smokers' materials, lighters and matches, and should target those at greater risk of fire, including the socially disadvantaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mulvaney
- Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, 13th Floor, Tower Building, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Towner E, Towner J. The hazards of daily life: an historical perspective on adult unintentional injuries. J Epidemiol Community Health 2008; 62:952-6. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2007.067918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Christie N, Ward H, Kimberlee R, Towner E, Sleney J. Understanding high traffic injury risks for children in low socioeconomic areas: a qualitative study of parents' views. Inj Prev 2008; 13:394-7. [PMID: 18056316 DOI: 10.1136/ip.2007.016659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To gain an in-depth qualitative understanding of parents' views about their children's exposure to road traffic injury risk in low socioeconomic areas. DESIGN Focus groups facilitated by a moderator with content analysis of data. SETTING Focus groups were conducted in 10 low socioeconomic English districts that also have high rates of child pedestrian injury. Research was conducted in community venues within each area. SUBJECTS Parents of children aged 9-14 years living in low socioeconomic areas. RESULTS Parents believe that children play in their local streets for the following reasons: they like playing out with friends near home; there are few safe, secure, and well-maintained public spaces for children; children are excluded from affordable leisure venues because of their costs; insufficient parental responsibility. For children that play in the street, the key sources of risk identified by parents were: illegal riding and driving around estates and on the pavements; the speed and volume of traffic; illegal parking; drivers being poorly informed about where children play; children's risk-taking behavior. CONCLUSIONS Intervention programs need to take into account multiple reasons why children in low socioeconomic areas become exposed to hazardous environments thereby increasing their risk of injury. Multi-agency partnerships involving the community are increasingly needed to implement traditional road safety approaches, such as education, engineering, and enforcement, and provide safe and accessible public space, affordable activities for children, and greater support for parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Christie
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
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Lyons RA, Towner E, Christie N, Kendrick D, Jones SJ, Hayes M, Kimberlee R, Sarvotham T, Macey S, Brussoni M, Sleney J, Coupland C, Phillips C. The Advocacy in Action Study a cluster randomized controlled trial to reduce pedestrian injuries in deprived communities. Inj Prev 2008; 14:e1. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.2007.017632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Strukcinskiene B, Martinkenas A, Towner E, Janson S, Andersson R. Traffic injury mortality in children in transitional Lithuania--a longitudinal analysis from 1971 to 2005. Acta Paediatr 2008; 97:358-61. [PMID: 18298785 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00634.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM Low- and middle-income countries bear far higher road traffic injury mortality rates than high-income countries. This paper considers the changing picture of child traffic injury mortality in Lithuania over a 35-year period. METHODS Road traffic injury mortality data, mortality data from other causes, and population data have been used to compare the trend lines of child road deaths with injury deaths and all deaths and calculate the road traffic mortality rates for children and young people aged 0-19 years. RESULTS This study revealed an inverted u-shaped trend, peaking in the 1980s and with a temporary elevated level in the early 1990s, in traffic mortality for the age group 0-19. However, unlike child death by all causes, road traffic injury has not declined significantly between the beginning and the end of the study period. Traffic deaths as a percentage of injury deaths and of all deaths showed a significantly rising trend. CONCLUSION Road traffic injury remains a serious public health problem in children and young people in Lithuania, which requires a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Strukcinskiene
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To bring together scientific evidence of what works in injury prevention with the knowledge and experience of practitioners, using a case study of smoke alarm installation from England. DESIGN There is good evidence of strategies to reduce injuries but less is known about the art of translating those strategies to implementation in real-world settings. England's Health Development Agency developed a structured process applicable to many public health fields, which integrates practitioner knowledge into the evidence base and reflects local contexts. The multistep process includes convening structured field meetings with local practitioners and policy makers, which focus on a mapping exercise of strategies, policies, targets, and funding streams related to childhood injury prevention, and barriers and facilitators relating to implementation of specific interventions. SETTING Meetings were held in six venues across England with 98 participants from a range of professional backgrounds and sectors. RESULTS The collective knowledge of participants provided many local insights unlikely to emerge in conventional research. Discussion topics covered key partners and sectors to include when planning a program; national policies and programs that could be used to drive the agenda; potential sources of funding; the importance of providing and installing appropriate smoke alarms; targeting of programs; and suggestions for gaining access to hard-to-reach populations. CONCLUSION This methodology represents an efficient way of gaining insight necessary for successful implementation of evidence based programs. It may be particularly useful in lower and middle income countries, serving to translate evidence into the local contexts and circumstances within which practitioners operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brussoni
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
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Abstract
This paper presents a summary table and discussion of legislation related to child injury prevention in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The table is an expanded version of the one which appeared in the UNICEF Report Card "Child Deaths by Injury in Rich Countries" (2001). A commentary is provided on the variations in legislation between countries in terms of range and form of measures and an estimate of degree of enforcement. As legislation is generally considered a powerful tool in injury prevention, the paper examines whether those countries with the widest range of legislation and the strongest enforcement have made the most progress in reducing child injury deaths since the 1970s. It also considers whether a commitment to extensive legislation is reflected in a country's position in the UNICEF league table of injury death. The initial conclusion to these two basic issues is that no clear picture can be seen and we thus need to know far more about the relationship between legislation and societies and cultures as they vary from place to place. This paper hopes to stimulate more widespread debate about the role of legislation in different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Towner
- Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Towner
- Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Towner
- Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle, UK.
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Towner E. UNICEF: A league table of child deaths by injury in rich nations.: Innocenti Report Card No 2. February 2001. UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence, Italy. Inj Prev 2001. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.7.2.166-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Towner E. Conference on Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention in the Underprivileged New Delhi, India, 9 March 2000. Inj Prev 2000. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.6.3.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- E Towner
- Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Towner E. Injury Prevention and Public Health: Practical Knowledge, Skills, and Strategies.: Tom Christoffel and Susan Scavo Gallagher. (Pp 402; $US 50.00.) Aspen Publishers, Gaitherburg, Maryland, 1999. ISBN 0-8342-840-7. Inj Prev 1999. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.5.4.311-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Towner E. Injury Prevention: An International Perspective. Epidemiology, Surveillance and Policy.: By Peter Barss, Gordon Smith, Susan Baker, and Dinesh Mohan. ( 42.50 hardback.) Open University Press, 1998. ISBN 0-19-511982-7. Inj Prev 1999. [DOI: 10.1136/ip.5.2.158-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Hayes M, Towner E. Action on Injury--a stepping off point for the UK. Inj Prev 1999; 5:5-7. [PMID: 10323561 PMCID: PMC1730473 DOI: 10.1136/ip.5.1.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Hayes
- Child Accident Prevention Trust, Clerks Court, London
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