Family risk factors and buffering factors for child internalizing and externalizing problems

Detrimental effects of adverse family conditions for children's wellbeing are well-documented, but little is known about the impact of specific risk factors, or about potential protective factors that buffer the effects of family risk factors on negative development. We investigated the impact of five important family risk factors (e.g., parental conflict) on internalizing and externalizing problems and the potential buffering effects of peer acceptance and academic skills at two measurement points two years apart in 1195 7- to 10-year-olds (T1: MAge = 8.54). Latent-change models showed that increases in risk factors over the two years predicted increasing internalizing and externalizing problems. Parental conflict was the most impactful risk factor, although peer acceptance and academic skills showed some buffering effects. The results highlight the necessity of investigating cumulative and single risk factors, specifically interparental conflict, and emphasize the need to strengthen children's internal and social resources to buffer the effects of adverse family conditions.