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Resumo

This study tested a conceptual model designed to explain the links between mothers' perceptions of their neighborhood and the adjustment of African American adolescents. The association of mothers' perceptions of their neighborhoods, parenting practices, and adolescents' adjustment was examined among 85 African American mothers and adolescents. Findings revealed the more mothers reported that crime and physical deterioration were problems in their neighborhood, the lower was their adolescents' self-reliance. Mothers' perceptions of neighborhood physical deterioration were also negatively correlated with self-esteem. The more mothers reported that important social resources were accessible in their neighborhood, the higher were adolescents' self-esteem and self-reliance and the lower were adolescents' problem behavior and psychological distress. Also, the more mothers reported that neighborhoods were deteriorated, the more firmly they controlled their adolescents. The more mothers reported that resources were available, the more accepting they were of their adolescents. Mothers' acceptance was positively associated with self-esteem and self-reliance and negatively related to problem behavior. There was no evidence that the effects of mothers' perceptions of the neighborhood on adolescent adjustment were mediated by mothers' parenting. Findings were discussed in light of the need to explore variables in a variety of realms (parents and peers) as possible mediators of the effects of neighborhoods.

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