%0 Journal Article
%T Effects of peers on child pedestrian behaviors in a virtual traffic context
%J Journal of pediatric psychology
%D 2019
%A Morrongiello, Barbara A.
%A Corbett, Michael
%A Koutsoulianos, Stephanie
%A Foster, Avianna
%V 44
%N 4
%P 509-516
%X OBJECTIVES: Research shows that school-aged children are at high risk of pedestrian injury when they cross streets with peers. How peers exert their influence is unknown. Using a fully immersive virtual reality pedestrian environment, this study examined the impact of peers on children's pedestrian behaviors. <br><br>METHODS: 137 children were assigned either to a control, peer observer, or peer-safety or peer-risky modeling condition. Street-crossing behaviors were measured twice (baseline, postbaseline), with group comparisons (control vs. test condition) of postbaseline scores conducted. <br><br>RESULTS: Children who observed a peer modeling risky behaviors imitated this. No significant influences were found in the peer observation or safe modeling conditions. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Peers may elevate other children's risk of pedestrian injury through modeling risky crossings. Implications for prevention are discussed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Oxford University Press
%@ 0146-8693
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsy103