The influence of neighborhood safety on the relation between caregiver alcohol use and child symptoms of depression

Abstract

Objective: To examine the potential moderating effect of neighborhood safety on the caregiver alcohol use and child depression relation.Background: Parental alcohol use is a risk factor for child adjustment outcomes, including depression. However, more research is needed in this area as many children of problem drinkers grow up healthy and well adjusted.Methods: This study examined the potential moderating effect of perceptions of neighborhood safety on the association between caregiver alcohol use and child symptoms of depression in a community sample of 89 children ranging from 9 to 12 years of age (mean = 10.4, SD = 1.1).Results: Findings suggest that for those who viewed their neighborhoods as less safe, caregiver alcohol use was positively related to child depression; however, for those who viewed their neighborhoods as more safe, caregiver alcohol use and child depression were not related.Conclusions: Intervention strategies should target children who reside in unsafe neighborhoods, particularly those exposed to caregiver substance use, as they may be more likely to experience depressive symptoms.