Parenting Styles and Alcohol Use

Alcohol use is common among children and adolescents despite the fact that this particular form of risk-behaviour can have a negative impact on one’s psychological and social development. A recent article published in the journal Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy focuses on the link between the prevalence of alcohol use among young people and parenting styles. It provides a useful review of research in this area published between 1995 – 2012.

Notably, the survey found that most of the studies under analysis report that an authoritative parenting style “serves as a protective factor regarding alcohol use among children and adolescents.” Authoritative parenting is marked by good communication, affection and flexibility from the parents’ side. The survey also suggests that permissive child-rearing approaches produce similar positive results, whereas authoritarian or neglectful parenting styles are less likely to be as effective. In order to advance the work being carried out in this important field of study, the authors of the review urge future researchers to consider children’s individual predispositions, as well as the relationship between children’s behaviour and the parenting styles that they are exposed to.

Click here to read the full review in Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy.