Multiple risk factors in the family environment and youth problem behaviors

We test three risk models (independent-additive, interactive, and exponenti al) to examine how multiple risk factors in the family environment-overt in terparental conflict, poor parenting, and economic hardship-operate conjoin tly to predict youth problem behaviors. The sample includes 335 preadolesce nt and early adolescent youth. Findings from this study support the pattern of independent, additive effects of individual family stressors. We found no support for the idea that the effects of poor parenting, overt interpare ntal conflict, and family economic hardship exacerbate one another; nor did the converse serve as buffers. The independent, additive model explains mo re variance in externalizing problem behavior for youth in nondivorced, two -parent households. Poor parenting is the strongest risk factor. Economic h ardship is the only significant risk factor for youth internalizing problem behavior.