The Influence of Family Characteristics on Problem Behaviors in a Sample of High‐Risk Caribbean Adolescents

Abstract

Drawing on the social development model, the authors examine family risk and protective factors thought to influence problem behaviors among adolescents. They estimate the impact of family risk and protective factors on a variety of antisocial and health risk behaviors. Data are drawn from a sample of nearly 2,500 adolescents attending high‐risk schools in Trinidad and Tobago, a developing nation in the eastern Caribbean. The findings show that certain family risk factors play a more consistent role in shaping adolescent problem behaviors than others. In particular, adult history of antisocial behavior and parental attitudes favorable toward antisocial behavior and substance use emerge as the most robust risk factors. In accordance with previous research, family protective factors exerted only a minimal influence on behavioral outcomes. This finding confirms the need for additional theory and research on the protective factors that help reduce problem behavior among adolescents, particularly in developing nations.

Comprehensive assessment of youth violence in five Caribbean countries: Gender and age differences

“…A small but growing number of research studies on youth violence in Caribbean countries have reported similar results with respect to significant risk and protective factors discussed above (Blum & Ireland, 2004;Katz & Fox, 2010;Maguire & Fishbein, 2016;Williams, 2013). Maguire and Fishbein (2016) found that a history of family antisocial behavior and parent attitudes favorable toward antisocial behavior were stronger risk factors for problem behaviors of youth in Caribbean counties (Trinidad and Tobago), though significant family protective factors were not found.…”

“…Maguire and Fishbein (2016) found that a history of family antisocial behavior and parent attitudes favorable toward antisocial behavior were stronger risk factors for problem behaviors of youth in Caribbean counties (Trinidad and Tobago), though significant family protective factors were not found. In addition, Katz and Fox (2010) and Williams (2013) identified some significant factors affecting youth violence or gang involvement at the school level, including peer association, lack of positive interactions with teachers, the opportunity for prosocial involvement, and low commitment to school.…”

“…Most studies have examined youth violence in a particular Caribbean country, such as Trinidad and Tobago (Blum & Ireland, 2004;Katz et al, 2011;Maguire & Fishbein, 2016;Maguire et al, 2011). These studies have also focused more on risk and protective factors at a specific domain rather than multiple domains (Maguire & Fishbein, 2016;Maguire et al, 2011). Furthermore, previous studies provide limited information about how gender and age groups face different violence-related behaviors (e.g., engagement, victimization, witness, and reports to adults) and how they perceive different levels of risk and protective factors at multiple domains.…”

The Impact of Gangs on Community Life in Trinidad

“…Gang violence imprisons some residents in their neighborhoods and limits children's opportunities for recreation in community spaces. It also exposes children and adolescents (as well as other residents) to extreme levels of trauma, thus potentially limiting their growth and development and perpetuating the cycle of violence (Maguire and Fishbein, 2016;Singer, Anglin, Song, & Lunghofer, 1995). For many young men growing up in the communities we examined, the inability to move about freely (for fear of crossing gang boundaries) as well as biased hiring practices, make it difficult to leave the community and to find legitimate work.…”

Neurobiological Bases of Executive Function and Social‐Emotional Development: Typical and Atypical Brain Changes

“…Hence, rather than the modular packaging of functions that theorists sometimes associate with a type of intelligence or cognitive ability, EF are thought to access multiple streams of information processing and experience and potentially interact with all available mental resources in choosing responses and attaining goals. Given these kinds of influences on behavior, EF impairments during development (due to either acquired illness, injury, or developmental disruption) can have far-reaching and disabling effects in everyday life (Eslinger, Flaherty-Craig, & Chakara, 2013;Maguire & Fishbein, 2016). Hinnant et al (2013) argued that EF are the convergence of higher cognitive abilities under situation-specific circumstances that facilitate control functions.…”