Accident Risk in Middle Age Years and in Old Age

Abstract

In this paper a sociological role theory for the explanation of variations in accident rates is presented. Accident Risk is seen as a combined result of a person's exposure to dangerous situations, here labeled Role Strain, and his ability to avoid and survive potential accidents which is called Individual Capacity. Married women, married men, single (never married) women and single (never married) men are examined with respect to Role Strain and Individual Capacity in middle age years and in old age, and empirical con sequences in terms of Accident Risk are derived. Theoretical arguments are tested against Norwegian data from the 1961-69 period and against Ame rican data from 1950 and 1960. Thus, tests across national populations as well as over different time periods are carried out. Results from the three data sets support the sociological role theory.