Themes in injury talk
| Theme | Description | Example of verbatim transcript* |
| Details of the event | A recount/discussion of the event that caused the injury | AM: Oh (Child’s name)’s all grown up. Oh my goodness oh what have you done? C: Had to go to hospital … because I fell over the top of my horse’s head… AM: Ah. F: Face planted…. AM: Goodness me. F: Ended up a couple of days at the Children’s. About a week off school. C: Two nights, three days. F: And another half day next week. Maybe another four weeks. AM: Oh my goodness. |
| Pain | Verbal expressions of pain or discomfort | C: I accidentally pulled a bit off and now my hand is stinging a lot. Um it has got two plates it’s really sore. |
| Practical needs | Interactions surrounding changing of dressings, requesting food or drink, or the need for a shower | C: Excuse me mum I know you’re doing that but can you get me a glass of water please? M: Yep. C: Thank you. |
| Being careful | Some children were warned against future injury. | C: Hey! Hop on your motorbike! What? M: You’re on your last warning on that bike okay? C: Okay. M: You understand? Mummy’s just really worried that only a week ago… You’ve got to look after yourself alright? I know it’s just a baby’s balance bike but still, you’ve got to be careful. |
| Missing out | Some children expressed disappointment at restrictions from their injury. | C: Do some running and maybe do some jogging you can do all the activities and you can get it wet. Okay? Okay? Let’s think that. Especially that I can get it wet. Cause they’re going swimming. M: I know C: They’re going swimming mum. M: I know C: That’s so not fair. You know I love swimming. Its not fair. How come I have to miss out on all the good stuff? |
↵*Minor details removed for confidentiality.
AM, adult male (not father); C, child; F, father; M, mother.