Family structure and aggressive behavior in a population of urban elementary school children

This report examined associations between family structure and 393 fourth-grade children's aggressive behavior.

In an epidemiologically defined urban community population, both teacher and parent ratings of child aggressive behavior were examined among family structures that reflected current demographics. Relative risks for teacher- and parent-rated child aggressive behavior in mother-alone households were compared with those in the next most prevalent family structures (mother-father, mother-grandmother, and mother-male partner families).

With all income groups combined, teachers rated boys and girls in mother-alone families as more aggressive relative to mother-father families. Among low-income families, the protective effects for mother-father families were not apparent, and mother-male partner families were associated with an increased risk for teacher-rated aggression for boys.

Absence of and type of second adult present, child gender, home and school context, and income were important factors that moderated the associations between family structure and child aggressive behavior in this urban setting.