Emotional and Behavior Problems in Urban and Rural Adjudicated Males: Differences in Risk and Protective Factors

Abstract

Emotional and behavior problems in rural adjudicated youth have received scant research attention. The association of risk and protective factors with emotional and behavioral problems were examined in samples of urban and rural adjudicated youth. Urban youth had higher levels of personal and peer risk. For both samples, family and community risk were strong risk factors. The effects of family and school variables on emotional and behavioral problems were stronger for rural youth. The closer social ties of rural communities provide protective effects. Programs that facilitate more supportive family and community networks are consistent with the results of this study.

Keywords:

• delinquency
• rural
• urban
• mental health