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The effect of residential neighborhood on child behavior problems in first grade

Margaret O'Brien Caughy1, Saundra Murray Nettles, Patricia J O'Campo

  • 1University of Texas School of Public Health, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., v8.112, Dallas, TX 75390-9128, USA. margaret.caughy@utsouthwestern.edu

American Journal of Community Psychology
|July 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Neighborhood social factors impact child behavior problems. Positive parenting consistently reduces issues, while community involvement helps most in poorer areas.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Urban Sociology
  • Community Health

Background:

  • Child behavior problems significantly reduce quality of life for children aged 1-19.
  • Understanding environmental influences on child behavior is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between neighborhood social processes and child behavior problems.
  • To explore the mediating or moderating role of parenting behavior.
  • To examine these relationships across varying levels of neighborhood economic impoverishment.

Main Methods:

  • Multivariate multilevel regression analyses were employed.
  • The study included a diverse sample of 405 urban-dwelling first-grade children.
  • Neighborhood social climate, community involvement potential, and parenting behaviors were assessed.

Main Results:

  • A negative social climate correlated with increased internalizing behavior problems.
  • Community involvement potential was linked to fewer behavior problems, specifically in impoverished neighborhoods.
  • Parenting behavior did not mediate neighborhood effects, but positive involvement was universally associated with fewer behavior problems.

Conclusions:

  • Neighborhood social factors play a role in child behavior, with nuances based on economic context.
  • Positive parenting is a protective factor across diverse neighborhood settings.
  • Targeted community interventions may be beneficial in economically disadvantaged areas.

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