Neighborhood disorder and children's antisocial behavior: the protective effect of family support among Mexican American and African American Families

Am J Community Psychol. 2012 Sep;50(1-2):101-13. doi: 10.1007/s10464-011-9481-7.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / prevention & control*
  • Black or African American*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Family Characteristics / ethnology
  • Family Relations*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexican Americans*
  • Middle Aged
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Social Perception
  • Social Support*
  • United States