Contextual amplification of pubertal transition effects on deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior among African American children. |
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Authors: | Xiaojia Ge Gene H Brody Rand D Conger Ronald L Simons Velma McBride Murry |
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Affiliation: | Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis 95616, USA. xjge@ucdavis.edu |
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Abstract: | The effects of the pubertal transition on behavior problems and its interaction with family and neighborhood circumstances were examined with a sample of 867 African American children 10-12 years of age. Pubertal development status, pubertal timing, and primary caregivers' parenting behaviors were significantly related to affiliation with deviant peers and externalizing behaviors. Externalizing behavior among early-maturing children was associated positively with primary caregivers' use of harsh-inconsistent discipline and negatively with nurturant-involved parenting practices. Disadvantaged neighborhood conditions were significantly associated with deviant peer affiliation. The effect of pubertal transition varied according to family and neighborhood conditions: Early-maturing children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods were significantly more likely to affiliate with deviant peers. Early-maturing children with harsh and inconsistent parents were significantly more likely to have externalizing problems. |
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