Family Structure and Child Behavior Problems in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Abstract

A large body of literature suggests that children living with two married, biological parents on average have fewer behavior problems than those who do not. What is less clear is why this occurs. Competing theories suggest that resource deficiencies and parental selectivity play a part. We suggest that examining different contexts can help adjudicate among different theoretical explanations as to how family structure relates to child behavior problems. In this paper, we use data from the Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), the UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), and the US Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K) to examine the relationship between family structure and child behavior problems. Specifically, we look at how living in several configurations of biological and social parents may relate to child behavior problems. Findings suggest both similarities and differences across the three settings, with explanations in the UK results favoring selectivity theories, US patterns suggesting that there is a unique quality to family structure that can explain outcomes, and the Australian results favoring resource theories.

A serial mediating effect of perceived family support on psychological well-being

“…Therefore, perceived family support plays a vital role in improving emotional well-being. Based on the theory of social support, a supportive and nurturing family environment can provide security, love and acceptance [ 21 ], which are very important for emotional development, emotional stability and overall happiness. Family members can provide emotional support, understanding and encouragement to each other to help people cope with stress, anxiety and other emotional difficulties [ 7 , 22 ].…”