Household chaos and externalizing behaviors in children and adolescents: a systematic review of parenting, emotion reactivity, and self-regulation mechanisms

Background: Household chaos, characterized by disorganization, noise, crowding, and instability, has been increasingly examined as an environmental risk factor for youth externalizing behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain insufficiently synthesized. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA and SWiM guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024534530). A comprehensive search of Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception through February 2025. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, longitudinal, and observational designs examining associations between household chaos and externalizing behaviors among children and adolescents aged 0–18 years. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Due to methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Forty-four studies (N = 57,025 participants) met inclusion criteria. The majority reported a positive association between household chaos and externalizing outcomes, including conduct problems, aggression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, delinquency, and substance use. Key mediators included reduced parental monitoring, harsh or negative parenting practices, and diminished child inhibitory control. Child self-regulation and genetic susceptibility (e.g., DRD4 genotype) emerged as significant moderators. Methodological quality ranged from 5 to 7 stars on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, indicating generally moderate-to-high study quality with low overall risk of bias. Conclusions: Household chaos is consistently linked to youth externalizing behaviors, with parenting processes and child self-regulation serving as central mechanisms. Practitioners can use these findings to design interventions that promote structured home routines, strengthen parental monitoring and responsiveness, and enhance children’s self-regulatory capacities. Addressing modifiable environmental instability may reduce externalizing risk and improve long-term developmental outcomes.