Family Cohesion and Behavioural Problems in Young Adolescents: Mediating Effects of Neighbourhood Cohesion and Moderating Roles of Individual and Family Structure Factors

Sitnik‐Warchulska, Katarzyna ; Izydorczyk, Bernadetta; Markevych, Iana ; Baumbach, Clemens ; Mysak, Yarema; Buczyłowska, Dorota ; Szwed, Marcin und Lipowska, Małgorzata (2025): Family Cohesion and Behavioural Problems in Young Adolescents: Mediating Effects of Neighbourhood Cohesion and Moderating Roles of Individual and Family Structure Factors. In: Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, Bd. 35, Nr. 2, e70071

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether family and neighbourhood social cohesion are directly or indirectly associated with thereduction of behavioural problems, including internalising and externalising behaviours in young adolescents. Strong family andneighbourhood cohesion both play protective roles in maintaining the mental health of children and adolescents. From a systemic approach, adolescent behavioural problems are linked to family cohesion and mediated by neighbourhood social cohesion,which may serve as a buffer against family difficulties. Data from 700 parents of adolescents aged 10–13 years from southernPoland were analysed. Within the total, 207 adolescents had diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Structural equation modelling, adjusting for financial situation and ADHD, was used. Sex, ADHD, single-parent household,presence of siblings and social media use were explored as moderators. The data come from the Child Behaviour Checklist(CBCL), the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES)-IV and the Brief Form of the Perceived NeighbourhoodSocial Cohesion Questionnaire (PNSC-BF). Family and neighbourhood social cohesion were both related to behavioural prob-lems. Neighbourhood social cohesion was a significant mediator of the relationship between family cohesion and internalisingand externalising behaviours. The presence of siblings was a significant moderator for the indirect effect on externalising behav-iours. The findings of the study support the thesis that family and neighbourhood social cohesion serve as protective factors foradolescent behavioural problems. They highlight the need for therapeutic interventions that strengthen family cohesion to mit-igate adolescent behavioural symptoms, while promoting neighbourhood relationships and community engagement enhancesbelonging and parental competence, ultimately improving mental health outcomes.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin > Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 1052-9284
• Bemerkung: Iana Markevych's time on this publication is partially supported by the ‘Strategic research and innovation program for the development of Medical University–Plovdiv’ N BG-RRP-2.004- 0007- C01, Establishment of a network of research higher schools, National plan for recovery and resilience, financed by the European Union - NextGenerationEU
• Sprache: Englisch