In times of test, family is best: Family functioning as a moderator of the effects of stressful life events on risk behavior among young expectant couples

Stressful events can lead to risk behavior among young adults. Strong families may buffer the negative effects of stress. This analysis assessed whether family functioning moderated the effect of stressful events on risk behavior.

Preliminary analyses were conducted on 200 young expectant couples from OB-GYN clinics serving low-income areas. Women and men averaged 18.7 and 21.3 years, respectively, and 77% of participants were minorities. Participants reported stressful events within the previous 6 months (e.g. money problems), behavioral risk within the previous 3 months (e.g., concurrent partner, drinking) and current family functioning. Regression analyses assessed family functioning as a moderator of the effects of stressful events on risk behavior.

The most common stressors were money problems (>40%) and moving (>29%). Men and women with more stressful events reported more concurrent sex partners, drinking and marijuana use (all p<.04). Men experiencing more stressful events reported more unprotected sex and hard drug use (all p<.05). Family functioning buffered the negative influence of stressful events. Stressful events did not relate to risk outcomes for men with high family functioning; however, men with low family functioning and stressful events reported more concurrent partners (OR=1.29), unprotected sex (B=.26), drinking (OR=1.40) and hard drug use (OR=1.52; all p<.03). Among women, family functioning did not moderate the effect of stressful events on risk behavior (all p>.05).

Positive family functioning can be protective among young men. While pregnancy may be protective for women, prevention interventions for men expecting a baby should target family functioning.