Taking a Risk Perception Approach to Improving Beach Swimming Safety

• Published in: International journal of behavioral medicine Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 360 - 366
• Main Authors: McCool, J., Ameratunga, S., Moran, K., Robinson, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.12.2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Bathing Beaches; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drowning - prevention & control; Drownings; Family Medicine; Female; General Practice; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Psychology; Humans; Lifestyles; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; New Zealand; Perception; Qualitative research; Risk; Risk assessment; Risk Reduction Behavior; Safety; Self Efficacy; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Swimming; Swimming - education; New Zealand; Risk perception; Recreational swimming; Water safety; Drowning prevention
• ISSN: 1070-5503; 1532-7558
• DOI: 10.1007/s12529-009-9042-8

Background Beach swimming is generally associated with a healthy lifestyle, yet the risk of drowning is universally significant. Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors associated with safe swimming behavior using protection motivation theory as a guiding theoretical framework. Method This cross-sectional study surveyed a sample of beachgoers ( N  = 3371) aged ≥16 years who completed an anonymous, self-report questionnaire to assess the associations between perceptions of the risk of drowning and safe swimming behavior. Results Compared with males, females perceived greater severity, vulnerability, response efficacy, and concern regarding their risk of drowning. Males, Maori, and 16 to 29 year olds reported higher self-efficacy scores compared to females, other ethnic groups, and older participants, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, people perceiving a greater threat (severity) of experiencing difficulty while swimming as well as those reporting higher response efficacy (beliefs about the effectiveness of drowning prevention measures) were more likely to report safe swimming behavior. Conclusion The effectiveness of water safety education programs could be strengthened by enhancing risk appraisal and coping skills and counter-acting the tendency of males and younger adults to overestimate their swimming ability and underestimate their risk with regard to drowning.