High Crime Neighborhoods may Increase Risk of Aggressive Behaviors in Children

For many adults, they look back on their childhood homes as a time of learning, growth and transition. However, for those living in dangerous neighborhoods, it can be remembered as a time of fear, depression and sadness.

Unfortunately, high rates of crime in some areas may also explain why some children are more aggressive as adults, according to a recent study.

Researchers hoped to examine the link between dangerous neighborhoods and children's aggression. For their research, they interviewed parents and children from 1,293 families in nine countries: China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand and the United States.

Participants were asked questions about the dangers of their neighborhood. Findings showed that based on families' answers, children who showed higher levels of aggression tended to come from more dangerous neighborhoods.

To measure this, researchers asked parents and children to complete a widely used child-behavior checklist that screens behaviors such as screaming and threatening people. Researchers looked for mothers, fathers and children to answer the survey in order to determine a full-portrait.

"This is an incredibly diverse set of countries from around the world, representing countries from the developing and the developed world and including individualistic and collectivist societies," lead study author Ann T. Skinner said, via a press release. "In all the countries we studied, we see that living in a dangerous neighborhood may affect kids negatively."

The study suggests that these neighborhoods may indirectly affect children and their emotional health. Their next step is to determine whether or not dangerous neighborhoods promote harsh parenting practices.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Societies.