The Role of Family Structure on the Risk of Co-Occurring Multiple Problem Behaviors

• In Event: Assessing Differences in the Impact of Multiple Risk and Protective Factors on Adolescent Behavior

Abstract

The diverse living and family situations of youth shape a host of adolescent problem behaviors. Work by Ginther and Pollack (2004) note that the adolescent problem behavior literature often relies exclusively on youth-based measures of family structure. They note the need for special attention to youth raised by two married biological parents in blended households, the family dynamics in these homes, and the interaction between family form and family process. Delinquent involvement, sexual risk-taking, and substance abuse are part of a larger group of behavioral and health risks that are also associated with academic disengagement. These behavioral and health risks are often viewed as a single multi-dimensional structure or a set of co-occurring multiple problem behaviors. We use data from National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to explore how youth from “non-intact” homes are at elevated risk of multiple problem behaviors relative to “intact” homes. We adopt a family-based scheme that allows us to distinguish children reared in traditional nuclear families, blended families, stepfamilies, and other non-intact families. This measure more accurately taps variation across both a variety of intact and non-intact families. The findings point to directions for both future research and family policy to reduce adolescent problem behaviors.

Authors

• Caitlin Brady, University of Central Florida

• Catherine Kaukinen, University of Central Florida

• Kristina Childs, Univeristy of Central Florida