Temperament as a moderator of the relation between neighborhood and childrenʹs adjustment

Although proposed by bioecological models, there has been minimal empirical examination of whether childrenʹs individual differences moderate neighborhood effects on development. We used an urban community sample (8–12 years, N = 316) to examine interactions among neighborhood characteristics (problems and social organization) and childrenʹs temperament (fear, irritability and impulsivity) in predicting psychosocial adjustment. The main effects of neighborhood and temperament on outcomes were consistent with previous research. Findings show that development is challenging in disadvantaged neighborhoods whatever oneʹs temperament, however, some effects of neighborhood were conditioned by temperament, particularly childrenʹs fear and irritability. Neighborhood problems were more strongly related to lower social competence for fearful and for less irritable children. Neighborhood problems were more strongly related to higher internalizing problems for low-fear children. Neighborhood social organization was more strongly related to greater social competence for low-fear children. Findings are discussed in relation to “diathesis–stress” and “differential responsiveness” models of temperament.