FAMILY RISK FACTORS AS INDICATORS OF BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS WITH YOUTH

Abstract

This project researches whether risk factors within family have any predictive power in describing youth behavioural problems. Family risk factors such as family functioning problems and conflicts within family have the strongest predictive power. Preventive actions and treatment must be directed toward the youth living in risky families. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

Received: 27. 04. 2009

Accepted: 12. 06. 2009

Original article

Abstract

This project researches whether risk factors within family have any predictive power in describing youth behavioural problems. Family risk factors such as family functioning problems and conflicts within family have the strongest predictive power. Preventive actions and treatment must be directed toward the youth living in risky families.

Key words: behavioural problems, risk factors, family.

(ProQuest: ... denotes non-US-ASCII text omitted.)

Introduction

In the last few decades, there has been an increase in youth behavioral problems here and in the rest of the world. It is of grave concern that behavioral problems are affecting more and more children of young ages; and consequently the chances of such behavior developing later into delinquent behavior as the worst type of behavioral problem have significantly increased. Laucht and associates, (1997) and Yoshikawa (1994) emphasize that behavioral problems are caused by a number of different factors, all of which disrupt healthy development of a child or young person, as well as exacerbate further development of existing problems (1).

Researchers today are trying to discover what factors influence children and young adults to choose forms of unacceptable behavior, to develop negative identity, and generally exhibit unsuccessful social behavior. Today, these and other factors are considered risk factors, which can during a particular period, within a particular environment, situation, specific relationships and personal characteristics significantly contribute to emergence and development of behavioral problems with children and youth (2). Mrazek and Haggerty (1994) emphasize that risk factors are broadly defined as those characteristics, which, if present, can increase possibility of development of a problem with individuals that posses them opposed to those that do not (3). Different research efforts categorize risk factors differently. They vary from biological and family to wider surrounding settings including school. For the purpose of this research the most important are the risk factors within family. The family as child's primary surroundings and being dysfunctional as such is most commonly linked to behavioral problems and represents a special interest of the scientific community. Therefore, family as an institution becomes an important risk and safety factor influencing child's behavioral. The most common risk factors within family surroundings linked to behavioral problems are: family history of troubled behavior, problems in normal functioning of a family, conflicts within family, and attitudes within family which support behavioral problems. Lackovikj-Grgin argue that particular family circumstances are considered as causes of behavioral problems at children, fragmentation of the family, incompleteness, change of living areas and so forth (4). Family is one of the frequently discussed factors, especially within the realm of the effects of parental control or supervision (5). Kumpfer points out that lack of adequate parental supervision of children can increase child's susceptibility to deviant peer pressure and use of alcohol and other drugs (6). Through their research Harrison, Bach-Harrison, Gisseman have found out that youth living in families with high level of conflict within family have higher probability of exhibiting behavioral problems such as delinquency, drug abuse and other problems, rather than their peers living in families with low level of conflict within family (7).

Webster-Stratton indicate that particular family characteristics such as low income lead to development of behavioral problems with children (8). Same authors point out that presence of this factor is especially strong when combined with other factors such as: low level of education of parents, family isolation, and presence of stress, single parent household, parents' psychiatric problems, parental discord and depression. Therefore, I intend to highlight codependency of different factors within family, which manifest in behavioral problems within observed population. Concurrent with predetermined goals this paper analyzes general hypothesis according to which presence of different factors in family surroundings leads to child's behavioral problems.

Method

Information about examinees has been collected through a custom made survey consisting of 10 variables describing risk factors in family surroundings. Considering that risk factors are not one-dimensional as well as the natural inability to completely research them, we have used one or more measurable indicators. Variables derived from the indicators are:

1. Who he/she lives with (1. Both parents, 2. Single parent, 3. Other),

2. Alcoholism in the family (1. Yes, 2. No),

3. Family member with criminal record (1. Yes, 2. No),

4. Family's awareness of child's activities during his free time (1. Yes, 2. Often, 3. Rarely, 4. None),

5. Respect of common rules of behavior (1. Yes, 2. Often, 3. Rarely, 4. None),

6. Consistency of disciplinary actions (1. Yes, 2. Often, 3. Rarely, 4. None),

7. Divorce in family (1. No, 2. Yes),

8. Conflict within family (1. No, 2. Sometimes, 3. Rarely, 4. Often, 5. Always),

9. Abandonment (1. Yes, 2. No),

10. Sanctioning of negative behavior (1. Yes, 2. Often, 3. Rarely, 4. Sometimes, 5. No).

Dependent variable have been defined through a variable that describes behavior, which according to commonly accepted socio-criminal meaning could determine behavioral problem in certain categories (1. No, 2. Yes).

The research has been focused on identification of risk factors within families of high school age children, defined as "youth" for the purpose of this study, and was conducted during months of March and April in 2008. Data was collected through field study at several high schools in Tuzla municipality.

Main source of data for this study came from high school children defined as follows:

- Students of first, second and third year at various vocational high schools;

- 14 to 17 years of age;

- Male and female.

Considering the source of data and study's predetermined goals it was decided to use a survey as the main and only method of collecting data. For this purpose, a unique questionnaire was created based on similar questionnaires used by some researchers in their study of risk factors with students.

The correlation between various factors of family surroundings and youth's behavioral problems was analyzed using regression analysis.

Collection of data and student inquiry was administered at school premises. Time allotted for completion of the questionnaire was 45 minutes, which is the length of one class hour. General instructions on how to fill out the questionnaire were given prior to start. Additional guidance on the questionnaire was given by class teacher as directed by the researchers. Participation in the survey was voluntary. All students attending classes the day of the survey participated in the survey. Class teacher was the lone person present during administration of the questionnaire. All questionnaires and data collected were anonymous.

Results

With regression analysis we tried to confirm that risk factors in family surroundings are linked to behavioural problems and identify ones with definite predictive power. As listed in Table 1., the result is statistically significant (p=0.014) with multiple correlation coefficient of 0.47. The coefficient of determination, which measures the proportion of variability in a data set, between the criteria variables and various family surroundings risk factors is 0.642 and explains 64% of variability. At p 0.014 it is statistically significant. Standard error is 0.286 and shows the level of uncertainty.

Table 1., presents results of multiple correlations, standard coefficient of partial regression, standard error of beta coefficient as well as coefficient of determination.

Table 2., shows that important factors predicting behavior are: who he/she lives with (p<02), family's knowledge of child's free time activities (p<01), alcoholism in family (p<03), conflict within family (p<03). Best predicting power has the "conflict within family" variable because it has the highest beta coefficient (0.674). This variable also has the second highest correlation with behavior problems (0.741). Results in Table 2., also show that "knowledge of child's free time activities" has the highest correlation with criteria variable (0.796). Furthermore, given its beta coefficient and correlation it is evident that variable "alcoholism" also significantly contributes to child's behavioral problems.

Discussion

Results of the research show that the hypothesis is confirmed. Several risk factors within family surroundings can lead to behavioral problems. The variable "family's knowledge of child's free time activities" had high predictive value. This variable is tied to risk factor of family functionality. Weak parental control and monitoring of children contributes to increased level of risk for development of behavioral problems (9).

This factor is often subject of discussions on delinquent behavior, especially when effects of parental control and supervision are talked about. In his work, Swanson states a general conclusion that weak parental control increases child's risk for drug abuse and delinquent behavior because it is this period in child's life when they spend most of their time in presence of deviant peers (5).

Dishion and Patterson state that inadequate parental control is very important for initiating and maintaining antisocial behavior in children from mid-childhood to adolescence. Another important factor is "conflict within family". Family atmosphere plays an important role in proper development of children. According to many authors, disturbances of family atmosphere play a key role in development of serious delinquent behavior (10). Children brought up in an environment where conflicts between family members are present become susceptible to drug abuse, delinquency, violence, early pregnancy and dropping out of school (11). In one research Harrison, Bach- Harrison, Gisseman also show that youth that had lived in families with high level of conflict had higher probability of demonstrating problematic behavior such as delinquency, drug abuse and other problems, rather than their peers who had lived in families with low level of conflict (7). Family history of problematic behavior significantly influences behavior of children. This study has shown that alcoholism in family is an important predictive factor. Author Garwick points out that for children living in families where there is tendency toward alcoholism or other drug abuse the risk of them taking alcohol or other drugs is increased on its own. Many authors also mention that if young are living in families where there is tendency toward criminal activities the risk of exhibiting the same type of behavior continues. Important studies have documented that young living with a single parent have higher probability of participating in risky behavior (12). Comparing the youth coming from families with both parents and youth living with a single parent it is clear that the ones living with a single parent have significantly higher probability of exhibiting behavioral problems such as school avoidance, abuse of psychoactive substances, arrests, fights and sexual behavior (13). Other studies have shown that youth with a single parent are deprived of socio-emotional support and parental control.

Ricciuti reports that single parent families have higher probability of being limited in terms of their economic, social and parental resources, which support and increase protection, socialization and educational development of children, than families with both parents14. Adrian mentions two aspects of family surroundings listed in literature that lead to delinquency. They are characterized as family status and family type (15). Family status relates to family composition.

Conclusion:

Obtained results point to the fact that significant attention needs to be given to family risk factors. The final result of this research leads to the conclusion that young living in families with risk factors (problems in family functionality, disturbed family structure) must be considered as initial forms of behavioral problems in order to prevent them from developing into more serious behavioral problems.

References

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