Family instability and the problem behaviors of children from economically disadvantaged families.

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the relation between family instability and the problem behaviors of children from economically disadvantaged families. Family instability was assessed when the children were ages 5 and 7 and included number of residence changes, changes of intimate caregiver relationships, and recent negative life events. The results showed direct concurrent relations between family instability and preschool children's externalizing behavior in the context of other family process variables, relations between subsequent family instability and 1st-grade children's internalizing behavior (i.e., with preschool behavior ratings controlled), and an effect for persistent instability across grade. Moderator effects were also found for child variables, including gender, temperamental adaptability, and prior externalizing scores.

Cites (10)

1. Assessing the impact of life changes: Development of the Life Experiences Survey.
   Sarason, Irwin G., Johnson, James H., Siegel, Judith M. · 1978 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
2. Marital conflict and child adjustment: An emotional security hypothesis.
   Davies, Patrick T., Cummings, E. Mark · 1994 · Psychological Bulletin
3. Equifinality and multifinality in developmental psychopathology
   Cicchetti, Dante, Rogosch, Fred A. · 1996 · Development and Psychopathology
4. Stability of Intelligence from Preschool to Adolescence: The Influence of Social and Family Risk Factors
   Sameroff, Arnold J., Seifer, Ronald, Baldwin, Alfred, Baldwin, Clara · 1993 · Child Development
5. Development and self-regulatory structures of the mind
   Cicchetti, Dante, Tucker, Don · 1994 · Development and Psychopathology
6. Emotional security as a regulatory process in normal development and the development of psychopathology
   Cummings, E. Mark, Davies, Patrick · 1996 · Development and Psychopathology
7. Ethnic Differences in Children's Intelligence Test Scores: Role of Economic Deprivation, Home Environment, and Maternal Characteristics
   Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne, Klebanov, Pamela K., Duncan, Greg J. · 1996 · Child Development
8. Marital conflict, gender, and children's appraisals and coping efficacy as mediators of child adjustment
   Cummings, E. Mark, Davies, Patrick T., Simpson, Kelly S. · 1994 · Journal of Family Psychology
9. Environmental risk factors and children's achievement from middle childhood to early adolescence
   Pungello, Elizabeth P., Kupersmidt, Janis B., Burchinal, Margaret R., Patterson, Charlotte J. · 1996 · Developmental Psychology
10. Age and gender specific effects of parental depression: a commentary
    Hops, Hyman · 1995 · Developmental Psychology

Show all 10 references

Cited by (11)

1. The environment of childhood poverty
   Evans, Gary W. · 2004 · American Psychologist
2. Cumulative risk and child development.
   Evans, Gary W., Li, Dongping, Whipple, Sara Sepanski · 2013 · Psychological Bulletin
3. The Environment of Poverty: Multiple Stressor Exposure, Psychophysiological Stress, and Socioemotional Adjustment
   Evans, Gary W, English, Kimberly · 2002 · Child Development
4. Early externalizing behavior problems: Toddlers and preschoolers at risk for later maladjustment
   CAMPBELL, SUSAN B., SHAW, DANIEL S., GILLIOM, MILES · 2000 · Development and Psychopathology
5. Cumulative risk, maternal responsiveness, and allostatic load among young adolescents.
   Evans, Gary W., Kim, Pilyoung, Ting, Albert H., Tesher, Harris B., Shannis, Dana · 2007 · Developmental Psychology

See all 273