title: Chronic family adversity and early child behavior problems: a longitudinal study of low income families.
abstract: A beginning step in the prevention of child psychopathology is the identification of conditions associated with a disproportionately high incidence of behavior problems. Rutter and colleagues (British Journal of Psychiatry, 1975, 126, 493-509) have reported a dramatic increase in the probability of child adjustment difficulties as a function of multiple family stressors. However, few investigators have tested this association beginning in infancy. The present investigation examines this relationship at the ages of 1 and 2 with behavioral adjustment at age 3 among 100 low-income families. Broad support was found for the family adversity hypothesis, though sex differences were evident regarding individual correlates of problem behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Vondra
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hommerding
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keenan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015406:Single Parent