The social-environmental context of child clients: an empirical exploration

This article examines the family and social-environmental problems reported by parents of 226 children seen at a child guidance clinic. Responses to a 21-item problem inventory revealed a relatively high frequency of family and social problems. Financial, school, employment, and housing problems were frequently reported, as were parental arguing and problems in dividing household chores. Problems varied by race and socioeconomic status. Low-income families reported more problems, both social and family, and were more likely to experience certain types of problems. White families reported a higher number of family problems and were more likely to report parent-child conflict, family violence, and health or medical problems. Regardless of income, African American families were more likely to experience problems with unsafe neighborhoods.