Unstable Homes, Changing Families: Impacts on Adolescents' Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors

Introduction:

Housing instability and family structure can function as key social determinants that shape adolescents' behavioral development. Internalizing and externalizing behavior problems may occur with housing instability, reflecting the cumulative impact of structural vulnerabilities in the family and intensifying emotional and behavioral challenges. While prior studies often focus on short-term experiences or family structures at specific time points, this study examines how long-term and cumulative housing instability and family structure transitions affect adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.

Methods:

Our study uses 3,047 samples of adolescents in the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) panel data to analyze the impact of cumulative trajectories of housing instability and family structure on youth behavioral problems. The family structure trajectories are classified into three groups based on the mother's cohabitation status from the child's age 1 to 15: "always living with a partner," "always single," and "changed." Housing instability is calculated by a cumulative index by combining each wave, including housing cost burden, frequent moving, temporary residence, and risk of leaving. Youth behavioral problems are evaluated on an internalizing and externalizing behaviors scale using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) item at the age of 15. This study examines the independent and mutual influence of cumulative housing instability and family structure transitions through multiple linear regression analysis, considering various socio-demographic control variables.

Results:

Results show significant differences in behavior problems across family structure groups. For externalizing behavior, adolescents in the "always living with a partner" group exhibit lower levels compared to those in the other groups (p<.001), while for internalizing behavior, the group shows lower levels compared to the "changed" group (p<.001). Results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that accumulated housing instability is significantly associated with an increase in both internalizing behavior (b=0.046, p<.001) and externalizing behavior (b=0.024, p<.001). Regarding the family structure trajectories, the "changed" group shows a significant association with increased internalizing behavior compared to the "always living with a partner" group (b=0.072, p<.001). Although the interaction terms are not statistically significant, predictive margin analysis shows a statistical significance that the longer housing instability persists, the more internalizing behavior increases and becomes chronic in all groups: "always living with a partner" (b=0.046, p<.001), "always single" (b=0.039, p=.001), and "changed" (b=0.031, p<.001). Significant associations in the same direction are confirmed for externalizing behavior (b=0.024, b=0.031, and b=0.023; all p<.001).

Conclusions and Implications:

Our findings suggest that the effects of housing instability on adolescents' behavioral problems may vary depending on the duration and cumulative degree of instability. Interventions focusing on the long-term change process rather than a single point are required. In particular, housing instability in the early stages may have a protective effect depending on the stability of the family structure. However, this effect may weaken or reverse over time if housing instability becomes chronic. Therefore, customized intervention strategies that consider the flexibility of family composition and the sustainability of the housing environment are required for each period and risk level.