A central tenet of developmental-ecological theory is that individual development is influenced by the ongoing qualities of the social settings in which the child lives or participates and the extent and nature of the interaction between these settings (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1988). An important aspect of developmental-ecological theory is that it is presumed that the impact of major developmental influences, such as family functioning, are dependent on the sociological characteristics of the communities in which youth and families reside. From this perspective, it is important to consider the potential influence of the characteristics of the neighborhood when attempting to understand the impact of the family on risk and development. The current study used a developmental-ecological perspective in examining the relation of family processes to various patterns of delinquent involvement among minority male adolescents living in poor, urban neighborhoods. The study used four waves (collected 1 year apart) of the Chicago Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of the development of serious delinquent behavior among inner-city young adolescent males. The study applies a multilevel, multi-wave assessment to evaluate interactions between individual, family, peer, community, and social factors that affect boys' involvement in antisocial behavior. The study shows a relationship between various configurations of family characteristics and various patterns of delinquency involvement. It also supports the increasing emphasis on community effects on children and families. 4 tables, 1 figure, and 72 references