Belief-based predictors of portable pool safety behaviors among parents of young children

Abstract

Introduction: Swimming pools pose a significant drowning risk to young children, with little research investigating safety around portable pools. This study explores the beliefs Australian parents of children aged under 5 years hold toward portable pool safety behaviors. Methods: A two-phase online survey design guided by the belief-based framework of the theory of planned behavior was used. Phase 1 comprised open ended questions to identify parents’ (N = 50) modal salient beliefs regarding three portable pool safety behaviors: (1) supervising their child within arm’s reach; (2) ensuring adequate fencing for portable pools 300 mm and deeper; and (3) emptying and storing the pool safely when not in use. Phase 2 (N = 214) used a quantitative survey to examine the key behavioral, normative, and control beliefs predicting parents’ intentions regarding the three safety behaviors. Results: A range of beliefs that impact parents’ intentions for each of the three safety behaviors for portable pools were identified. These included, for example, behavioral beliefs around teaching water skills and preventing drowning/injury; normative beliefs of approval from family members; and control beliefs around time and ease. Differences in beliefs informing intentions across the three safety behaviors were also observed. Conclusions: Findings provide valuable insights into the beliefs parents hold regarding keeping their young children safe around portable pools. This knowledge can be used to inform education and awareness raising initiatives for parents of young children regarding portable pool safety, specifically targeting these identified beliefs to improve compliance. Practical Implications: Efforts of drowning prevention organizations and product and consumer safety authorities should prioritize these beliefs in messaging to foster parents’ intentions to comply with portable pool safety behaviors.