Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Microglial Interactions with Stress-Response Circuitry Using the Limited Bedding and Nesting Model
Published on: July 12, 2024
Associations among Early Exposure to Neighborhood Disorder, Fathers' Early Involvement, and Children's Internalizing
Yanfeng Xu1, Hui Huang2, Yiwen Cao3
1College of Social Work, University of South Carolina , Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
Purpose:
This study aimed to examine (1) the effects of early exposure to neighborhood disorder and fathers' early involvement on children's long-term internalizing and externalizing problems, and (2) whether fathers' early involvement buffered effects of early exposure to neighborhood disorder on children's internalizing and externalizing problems.
Method:
We used five waves of Fragile Family and Child Wellbeing study data and conducted multi-level longitudinal mixed-effects models to examine relationships among early exposure to neighborhood disorder, fathers' early involvement, and children's internalizing and externalizing problems.
Results:
Results indicated that early exposure to neighborhood disorder was associated with increased children's internalizing and externalizing problems, while fathers' early involvement was associated with decreased children's internalizing and externalizing problems. However, fathers' early involvement did not buffer the negative effects of early exposure to neighborhood disorder on children's internalizing and externalizing problems.
Discussion:
The findings suggest the importance of neighborhood order and fathers' early involvement in decreasing children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Developing neighborhood-level interventions and improving fathers' involvement in early childhood are potential strategies to prevent children's behavioral problems in the long term.
Related Concept Videos
Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Conduct Disorder
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

