Parent-Youth Relationships and Youth Alcohol Use: The Moderating Role of Parental Alcohol Use

Yang, Chiao-Yu; Shen, April Chiung-Tao; Hsieh, Yi-Ping; Huang, Ching-Yu; Wei, Hsi-Sheng; Feng, Jui-Ying; Hwa, Hsiao-Lin

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that strong parent-youth relationships serve as a protective factor inhibiting early alcohol use onset among youth, while parental alcohol use as a risk factor. However, little is known about the moderating effect of parental alcohol use on the relationship between parent-youth relationships and youth alcohol use. Using a nationally representative sample of 2,667 junior high school students entering eighth grade (aged 14 to 15) in Taiwan, this study examined the moderating role of parent use of alcohol on the relationship between parent-youth relationships and youth alcohol use. Results show that parent-youth relationship only remains a protective factor for youths whose parents do not drink alcohol; parent-youth relationship increases the likelihood of youth alcohol use if the parents use alcohol. Results suggest that parents and practitioners aiming to prevent early alcohol use onset among junior high school students should be aware of the potential influence of parental alcohol use behaviors and educate youths to assess their health behaviors regardless of their parents’ alcohol use behaviors.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 3, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 20, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 1, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
• Print ISSN: 1557-1874
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01177-w
• Keywords: Psychiatry and Mental health
• Additional Information: Accepted: 3 October 2023; First Online: 20 October 2023; : ; : All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and its later amendments. Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study. All authors whose names appear on the submission made substantial contributions to the study approve the manuscript to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.; : The authors declare no competing interests.; : The study data are available only to the research team, as stated in the IRB protocol.