The Mediating Role of Housing Insecurity in the Relationship Between Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Child Maltreatment Among Low-Income Urban Families
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Summary
This study examines how neighborhood social cohesion and housing insecurity relate to child maltreatment among low-income urban families. Researchers found that stronger neighborhood social cohesion was associated with lower levels of physical and psychological child abuse, partly because it was linked to reduced housing insecurity. The findings highlight how supportive neighborhoods and stable housing can work together to help prevent child maltreatment and strengthen family well-being.
Topics: Family Risk Prevention, Socioeconomic Policy and Financial Wellbeing, Social Capital, Housing Insecurity
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Abstract
Background: Child abuse has deleterious impacts for children across their lifespan. Understanding the pathways in which child abuse occurs is critical for targeting prevention efforts. The trust and bonds between neighbors may play a preventive role against child abuse, with parents receiving support from those who are geographically close. Such relationships may guard against housing insecurity, which is related to child abuse.
Objective: The current study examines the relationships between social cohesion, housing insecurity, and child abuse.
Participants and setting: The study relies on data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study of 4898 families from 20 large urban cities. The study focuses on data from waves 3, 4, 5 when focal children were ages 3, 5, and 9 years.
Methods: Structural equation modeling is used to test the mediational relationship between neighborhood social cohesion at age 3, housing insecurity at age 5, and physical and psychological child abuse at age 9.
Results: The study found that social cohesion is related to lower levels of physical and psychological abuse, and these pathways are partially mediated through housing insecurity.
Conclusions: The findings underscore the important role of neighborhoods in child maltreatment prevention.