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Family stress, social support, violence, and sons' behavior
1Department of Nursing, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Western Journal of Nursing Research
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Family stress and low social support in low-income, inner-city, mother-alone families are linked to sons' behavior problems. Reducing family stress is a key nursing intervention target for these high-risk families.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Family Studies
- Nursing Research
Background:
- Low-income, female-headed, inner-city families are frequently associated with child behavior problems.
- Family processes contributing to child misbehavior in this demographic remain under-identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine relationships between family stress, social support, maternal conflict resolution, and sons' behavior in a high-risk group.
- To identify potential nursing interventions for inner-city, low-income, mother-alone families.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the family stress adaptation model to analyze data from predominantly African American, inner-city, low-income mothers living alone with their children.
- Assessed family stress, social support, maternal conflict resolution tactics, and sons' behavior.
Main Results:
- The sample reported higher family stress and lower social support compared to normative groups.
- Thirty-nine percent of sons referred for school difficulties exhibited behavior problems needing further assessment.
- Family stress was identified as the most significant factor for nursing intervention.
Conclusions:
- Family stress is a critical target for nursing interventions in high-risk, inner-city, mother-alone families.
- Addressing family stress can potentially mitigate behavior problems in sons from these families.