The Effects of Psychological Distress, Work, and Family Stressors on Child Behavior Problems

DAPHNE C. WATKINS, University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48 1091106, U.S.A. CHAVELLA T. PITTMAN, Dominican University, 7900 West Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305 U.S.A. MARISSA J. WALSH, University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1106, U.S.A. The Effects of Psychological Distress, Work, and Family Stressors on Child Behavior Problems Family stressors help identify behavioral outcomes in children. Yet, there may be subsequent factors associated with child behavior problems. An expansion of the current literature on child behavior problems will allow for further interpretation of these subsequent factors. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of psychological distress and work and family stressors on child behavior problems for parents (N=851) from the 1995 Detroit Area Study. Findings suggest that respondents who were younger, experienced psychological distress, lived in large households, felt bothered as a parent, and had difficulty balancing work and family were more likely to experience child behavior problems than their peers. Implications for this study underscore the application of an intersectional approach when working with children and families so that various aspects of parental and child well-being are addressed by researchers and service professionals.