A family systems approach to children's developmental, behavioral, and emotional difficulties

This review examines recent research on the influence of the family system on children's developmental, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. Family variables represent important contributors to positive development, on the one hand, or significant risks to adjustment on the other. Socioeconomic disadvantage emerges as a strong predictor of an increased vulnerability to a variety of childhood disorders. The effects of low socioeconomic status may be mediated by a variety of mechanisms, including overcrowding, poor parenting, parental depression, family dysfunction, and abuse. General family functioning, marital conflict, divorce, and postdivorce disputes are associated with adjustment difficulties in both boys and girls. Parental psychopathology may increase marital conflict and family dysfunction, and may adversely affect parenting and parent-child relationships. Family dysfunction, marital conflict, and poor parenting may contribute to problems in peer relationships that exert an important influence on children's development. Extrafamily supports, friendships, and peer relationships provide important protective influences that may buffer the effects of adverse family environments.