Content area
Abstract
Children of substance-abusing parents often have elevated rates of behavioral problems (Dore et al., 1995), including aggression. Research suggests a relationship between neighborhood risk and child aggression (Reese et al., 2000); however, family functioning may buffer that relationship (Leventhal & Brooks-Gunn, 2000). The present study examined risk (neighborhood) and protective (family) factors associated with vulnerability to aggressive behavior, among six- to eight- year-old children of substance abusing parents. Hypotheses were: (1) as the level of neighborhood risk increases, children's aggressive behavior will increase; (2) as the level of positive family functioning increases, children's aggressive behavior will decrease; and (3) as the level of positive family functioning increases, the relationship between neighborhood risk and children's aggressive behavior will decrease. Results revealed an inverse relationship between family functioning and aggressive behavior. However, neighborhood risk was not related to aggressive behavior, nor did family functioning moderate the relationship between neighborhood risk and aggressive behavior.
