The parenting variable was tested as a moderator of the density associations with child behavior. Parenting was not tested as a mediator because it did not correlate with density (r = −.01, p=.82) which is a requirement of mediation. A multiple-group SEM analysis was conducted in which the associations between family density and child behavior were compared between children in the less effective parenting environments (n=214) and children in the more effective (n=238) parenting environments (see Figures 2a and 2b). Model fit was good with the two structural parameters (paths from density to child behavior) constrained to be equal, χ2(84)=134.78, p=.00, CFI=.98, RMSEA=.05. Model fit was marginally improved by freeing the two structural parameters [difference χ2(2)=4.87, p<.10] to result in a final model fit of χ2(82)=129.91, p=.00, CFI=.98, RMSEA=.05. As may be seen in the figures, there were large differences in the magnitude and significance of the density effects between the two groups of children. Alcohol problem density was positively and significantly associated with BD (p=.02) and with CP (p=.00) in the less effective, but not in the more effective,
