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Article
Neighborhood Disorder and Children’s Antisocial Behavior: The Protective Effect of Family Support Among Mexican American and African American Families
American Journal of Community Psychology
  • Thomas J. Schofield, University of California, Davis
  • Rand D. Conger, University of California, Davis
  • Katherine J. Conger, University of California, Davis
  • Monica J. Martin, University of California, Davis
  • Gene Brody, University of Georgia
  • Ronald Simons, University of Georgia
  • Carolyn Cutrona, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
9-1-2012
DOI
10.1007%2Fs10464-011-9481-7
Abstract

Using data from a sample of 673 Mexican Origin families, the current investigation examined the degree to which family supportiveness acted as a protective buffer between neighborhood disorder and antisocial behavior during late childhood (i.e. intent to use controlled substances, externalizing, and association with deviant peers). Children’s perceptions of neighborhood disorder fully mediated associations between census and observer measures of neighborhood disorder and their antisocial behavior. Family support buffered children from the higher rates of antisocial behavior generally associated with living in disorderly neighborhoods. An additional goal of the current study was to replicate these findings in a second sample of 897 African American families, and that replication was successful. These findings suggest that family support may play a protective role for children living in dangerous or disadvantaged neighborhoods. They also suggest that neighborhood interventions should consider several points of entry including structural changes, resident perceptions of their neighborhood and family support.

Comments

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in American Journal of Community Psychology. The final authenticated version is available online at DOI: 10.1007%2Fs10464-011-9481-7. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
Springer Nature
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Thomas J. Schofield, Rand D. Conger, Katherine J. Conger, Monica J. Martin, et al.. "Neighborhood Disorder and Children’s Antisocial Behavior: The Protective Effect of Family Support Among Mexican American and African American Families" American Journal of Community Psychology Vol. 50 Iss. 1-2 (2012) p. 101 - 113
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/carolyn_cutrona/38/