Neighborhood perceptions and externalizing behaviors during childhood and adolescence: The indirect effect of family socioeconomic vulnerability and parenting practices

Abstract

ObjectivesThis exploratory study aims to add to previous literature and to analyze how perceived neighborhood and family features, directly and indirectly, influence parenting practices and externalizing behaviors in a Portuguese sample of children, youth and their families. MethodsA cross-sectional design was adopted. Three age groups were created to test these effects across late childhood (7–9 years, n = 83), early adolescence (10 – 13 years, n = 125) and adolescence (14 – 17 years, n = 61). All variables (externalizing behaviors, parenting practices, neighborhood perceived disorder, neighborhood attachment and family socioeconomic vulnerability) were assessed using individual level self-reported measures. Bivariate and OLS regression analysis were conducted and mediational models were tested. ResultsNeighborhood factors have a direct effect on externalizing behavior across the three developmental periods. In late childhood, negative parenting practices play an important role in children’s externalizing behavior. In turn, positive parenting practices are negatively associated with conduct problems in adolescence. The mediational analysis reveals that in childhood, but not in adolescence, family socioeconomic vulnerability indirectly affects externalizing behaviors through negative parenting practices. ConclusionsThe current findings highlight the importance of early intervention across multiple domains of children and youth’s life.