Gender, attachment, and parenting style: Protective or risk factors of alcohol misuse in young adults?

Abstract

Early adulthood is characterized by a growing risk of developing alcohol abuse, especially among students. Gender, attachment, and parenting style are strongly associated with alcohol consumption, but the precise influence of these variables is poorly understood, with much inconsistency in the literature. This study examined the link between drinking and gender, attachment, and perceived parenting style in a sample of 279 first-year students. It was hypothesized that secure attachment and perceived strong parental support predicted lower levels of drinking, and insecure attachment and perceived weak parental control higher levels. Men were more likely to drink problematically than women. An interaction effect was expected between attachment and parenting style. The results showed a protective effect of high perceived parental support and no perceived control effect. An interaction effect was found between attachment style and gender. Insecure men had higher levels of drinking than insecure women. In women, secure attachment style was significantly associated with high consumption. The results underline the importance of studying both attachment and parenting styles, as they can affect different dimensions of drinking. Psychological interventions can be suggested.