Date of Graduation

1991

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Each year nearly one million individuals suffer a head trauma. Many will sustain permanent injuries resulting in behavior and learning problems. In addition, both the individual and the family will accrue thousands of dollars in hospital and rehabilitation costs. It has been estimated that 4,500 lives are saved and 119,000 serious injuries are prevented each year by using a seat belt. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have mandatory seat belt laws. West Virginia, with the third highest non-seat belt use, has failed in three legislative sessions to pass such legislation. Over 200 Monongalia County fourth, fifth and sixth grade students and their parents completed the Project BUCKLE survey specifically designed for this study. The survey was used to identify factors influencing seat belt use attitudes and behaviors. Students from regular education, learning disabled, and gifted programs participated. Behavior disordered students did not return the necessary permission letters. The responses to the surveys were compared to the educational placement of the student and other independent variables derived from the biographical data collected. The responses to the Project BUCKLE surveys indicated that a statistically significant relationship existed between educational placement and seat belt use behaviors, but not between educational placement and seat belt use attitudes. Biographical factors were also determined to influence seat belt use in both parents and students. A profile of the student and the parent with positive seat belt use attitudes and behaviors was portrayed. This study found specific factors significantly influenced seat belt use attitudes and behaviors in students and parents. Expanding the study to include other regions of the state and comparing the results to a state with a mandatory seat belt law will be valuable for future research.

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