Journal article
The Blue Dog: Evaluation of an Interactive Software Program to Teach Young Children How to Interact Safely With Dogs
Journal of pediatric psychology, Vol.37(3), pp.272-281
04/01/2012
DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsr102
PMID: 22173883
Abstract
Objective Pre-post-randomized design evaluated The Blue Dog, a dog safety software program. Methods 76 children aged 3.5-6 years completed 3 tasks to evaluate dog safety pre- and postintervention: (a) pictures (recognition of safe/risky behavior), (b) dollhouse (recall of safe behavior via simulated dollhouse scenarios), and (c) live dog (actual behavior with unfamiliar live dog). Following preintervention evaluation, children were randomly assigned to dog or fire safety conditions, each involving 3 weeks of home computer software use. Results Children using Blue Dog had greater change in recognition of risky dog situations than children learning fire safety. No between-group differences emerged in recall (dollhouse) or engagement (live-dog) in risky behavior. Families enjoyed using the software. Conclusions Blue Dog taught children knowledge about safe engagement with dogs, but did not influence recall or implementation of safe behaviors. Dog bites represent a significant pediatric injury concern and continued development of effective interventions is needed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Blue Dog: Evaluation of an Interactive Software Program to Teach Young Children How to Interact Safely With Dogs
- Creators
- David C. Schwebel - University of Alabama at BirminghamBarbara A. Morrongiello - University of Alabama at BirminghamAaron L. Davis - University of Alabama at BirminghamJulia Stewart - University of Alabama at BirminghamMelissa Bell - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of pediatric psychology, Vol.37(3), pp.272-281
- DOI
- 10.1093/jpepsy/jsr102
- PMID
- 22173883
- NLM abbreviation
- J Pediatr Psychol
- ISSN
- 0146-8693
- eISSN
- 1465-735X
- Publisher
- Oxford Univ Press
- Number of pages
- 10
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2012
- Academic Unit
- Research Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984949192702771
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