Parental Alcohol Use Research Articles

Does trait urgency moderate the relationship between parental alcoholism and alcohol use?

Many college students engage in unsafe amounts of alcohol use, resulting in considerable alcohol-related problems. Several recent studies have shown that trait urgency is positively associated with a variety of addictive behaviors. What is not known is the way it may interact with other risk factors of alcohol use in predicting alcohol-related outcomes. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine if trait urgency moderated the relationship between parental alcoholism and both alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Data were collected on 324 undergraduate students who were participating in a research study as a result of an alcohol-related judicial infraction. Results indicated that trait urgency moderated the relationship between parental alcoholism and alcohol-related problems, but not parental alcoholism and alcohol use. There was a strong positive relationship between parental alcoholism and alcohol-related problems for those high in trait urgency, while no relationship existed between parental alcoholism and alcohol-related problems for those low in trait urgency. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Direct and Indirect Effects of Parental Influence Upon Adolescent Alcohol Use: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

A model incorporating the direct and indirect effects of parental monitoring on adolescent alcohol use was evaluated by applying structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to data on 4,765 tenth-graders in the 2001 Monitoring the Future Study. Analyses indicated good fit of hypothesized measurement and structural models. Analyses supported both direct and indirect effects of parental monitoring on adolescent alcohol use. Peer influence, perceived alcohol norms, and conventional bonds mediated the relationship between parental monitoring and adolescent alcohol use. Results suggest parental involvement and proactive parenting skills as critical components of prevention and intervention programs that target adolescent alcohol use.

Gender and family differences in adolescent's heavy alcohol use: the power-control theory perspective

According to the power-control theory, growing independence of adolescent girls, manifest in more prevalent problem behaviors, may be explained by changes in family structure (increasing level of authority gained in the workplace by mothers). To verify this hypothesis, self-report data from Warsaw adolescents (N = 3087, age 14-15 years, 50% boys) were used. Results indicate that parenting practices differ across child gender and structure of parents' work authority. Girls, especially in patriarchal households, spend more time with mothers and perceive stronger maternal control. In egalitarian families, fathers tend to be more involved with sons than with daughters. When parental control, support and adolescents' risk preferences are controlled, the gender-by-household type interaction effect is observed--girls in patriarchal families have the lowest risk of getting drunk. Study results provide support for power-control theory showing the relationship between parental work authority and adolescent's heavy alcohol use.

Examining the Etiology of Associations Between Perceived Parenting and Adolescents' Alcohol Use: Common Genetic and/or Environmental Liabilities?

Although twin studies yield consistent evidence of heritability in the frequency of adolescent alcohol use, parallel findings on parenting are more equivocal, supporting the role of genes in affective parenting but not as supportive in relation to parental control. The extent to which these patterns generalize to more nuanced forms of parenting is less clear. Furthermore, despite evidence linking parents' socialization practices with adolescents' alcohol-use behaviors, this study is the first attempt to determine the sources of this covariation. The present study used epidemiological data from 4,729 adolescent twins (2,329 females) to examine the nature of associations between their perceptions of parenting at age 12 and frequencies of alcohol use at age 14. Univariate analyses assessed the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on variability within six domains of parenting. Among those displaying consistent evidence of heritability, bivariate models were used to explore sources of covariation with drinking frequency. Univariate models suggested both genetic and environmental sources of variability across parenting phenotypes, including sex-specific sources of genetic liability within one dimension of parenting. However, despite evidence for heritability, bivariate analyses indicated that the covariation between alcohol use and perceptions of parental knowledge and warmth were entirely mediated through shared environmental pathways. This study elucidates genetic and environmental sources of variability within individual parenting behaviors and characterizes the etiological nature of the association between parental socialization and adolescent alcohol use. The identification of specific and modifiable socialization practices will be crucial for the future development of parent-based prevention/intervention strategies.

Abstract 1825: Maternal alcohol consumption and childhood acute myeloid leukemia risk

Abstract Background: Leukemia is the most common malignancy in children. The etiology of childhood leukemia is mostly unknown, although some environmental factors such as ionizing radiation and parental alcohol and tobacco use may play a causative role in leukemia. Methods: To investigate the association between parental alcohol consumption and childhood leukemia in a hospital-based case-control study in Korea, histologically-confirmed incident childhood leukemia cases (n=365) aged 0-18 years old were recruited from three teaching hospitals located in Seoul, Korea, between May 2003 and August 2008. Non-cancer controls (n=558) aged 0-18 years old without medical history of childhood cancer were recruited from the Department of Pediatrics of the same hospitals. Controls were frequency-matched to cases by 5-year age intervals and sex (cases: controls=1:1). Leukemia risks were estimated as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, parent's education, and birth weight (<3.25, 3.25-3.70, ≥3.70 kg). In addition to conducting analyses of all childhood leukemia, we calculated histologic subtype-specific ORs for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; n=200) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; n=88). Results: Among general characteristics, higher birth weight and parental education were associated with childhood leukemia risk (P<0.05). The proportion of drinking mothers was significantly higher among all leukemia cases than controls (58% vs. 49%: OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.00-1.83), whereas no association was observed for paternal alcohol consumption (87% vs. 83%). When the analysis was restricted to AML cases, the association between maternal drinking and cancer risk became stronger (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.06-2.90). Drinking frequency of the mothers was also associated with the increased risk. (≥1/month vs. <1/month; OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.10-2.28). Also, drinking duration of more than one year before pregnancy increased the risk of AML (OR=1.7, 95% CI= 1.00-2.85). No association was found between parental alcohol consumption and ALL risk. Conclusion: Our results suggest that maternal alcohol consumption is associated with AML among Korean children. However, larger studies need to be conducted to replicate our findings. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1825.

Novelty Seeking: Interaction Between Parental Alcohol Use and Dopamine D4 Receptor Gene Exon III Polymorphism Over 17 Years

Recent meta-analyses have questioned the association between the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene polymorphism and the temperament trait of novelty seeking, and proposed an interaction between the polymorphism and other factors. We wanted to test whether parental alcohol use during childhood moderated the effect of an offspring dopamine receptor gene (DRD4) polymorphism on the temperament trait of novelty seeking in adulthood. A population-based sample of children and adolescents (n = 2149) and their parents was examined in 1980 and 1983 on parental alcohol use and rearing practices. In 1997, study participants completed the Temperament and Character Inventory for the novelty-seeking temperament trait, and a subsample (n = 150) was genotyped for the DRD4 exon III polymorphism. For the participants with the father, but not the mother, reporting more frequent alcohol consumption or drunkenness in examinations 17 and/or 14 years before the novelty-seeking assessment, an association between the short (two- or...

Fathers Do Make a Difference: Parental Involvement and Adolescent Alcohol Use

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 9,148), we examined the relationship between dimensions of parent-child involvement (shared communication, shared activity participation, and emotional closeness) and three adolescent alcohol outcomes (alcohol use, alcohol related problems, and risky behavior co-occurring with alcohol use). This paper addresses previous limitations in fathering research by investigating both paternal and maternal involvement in understanding adolescent alcohol outcomes. When analyzed simultaneously, both shared communication with fathers and emotional closeness to fathers, but not shared activity participation, had a unique impact on each alcohol outcome, above and beyond maternal involvement factors. Implications for theory and research on parental involvement are discussed.

Implicit and explicit cognitions related to alcohol use in children

Research has indicated that implicit and explicit alcohol-related cognitions jointly predict alcohol use in adolescents and adults. Only few studies assessed these cognitions in children. Associations between alcohol cognitions and alcohol use were tested in two studies with 10 year olds (Study 1; N = 99) and 11–12 year olds (Study 2; N = 35). Furthermore, the role of parental alcohol use was examined. Implicit alcohol cognitions were assessed in an Implicit Association Test (IAT) using pictures of alcohol and soft drinks as target stimuli and happy versus angry faces as attribute stimuli (children's faces in Study 1, adults' faces in Study 2). Explicit expectancies and parental alcohol use were assessed with questionnaires. Children demonstrated a relatively stronger association between alcohol and negative facial expressions, and in Study 2, this association was negatively related to alcohol use. In Study 2, paternal drinking was related to implicit negative associations and explicit arousal associations. These studies show that young children have both implicit and explicit alcohol-related cognitions and both appear to play a role in explaining emerging alcohol use of elementary schoolchildren.

An Exploratory Study of the Nature of Family Resilience in Families Affected by Parental Alcohol Abuse

Resilient families are able to adapt to adversities, but the nature of family resilience is not well understood. This study examines patterns of family functioning that may protect families from the negative impact of alcohol abuse. Naturally occurring patterns of family functioning are identified and associations between these patterns and parenting, current parental alcohol use, recent family stressful events, supportive relationships outside the family, and demographic characteristics are assessed. Cross-sectional data are analyzed from racially diverse American and Canadian families (N = 674) who have at least one parent with an alcohol abuse problem and a child between ages 9 and 12 years. Cluster analyses derived from family functioning indicators are used to identify naturally occurring family patterns. Multivariate assessments evaluated relationships between family functioning clusters and potentially influencing factors. The study results reveal a continuum of family functioning associated with p...

Alcohol-specific socialization practices and alcohol use in Dutch early adolescents

The present study examined the associations of alcohol-specific socialization practices and heavy parental drinking with alcohol use in early adolescents. Cross-sectional nationwide survey data from 2599 parent–adolescent (mean age = 12.16) dyads were used to conduct logistic regression analyses. Onset of alcohol use as well as infrequent and regular drinking were associated with tolerant rules and attitude as reported by adolescents, and by a tolerant attitude as reported by parents. In contrast to former studies including middle and late adolescents, parental alcohol use was not found to be associated with early adolescent alcohol use, nor did parental alcohol use influence the impact of parental rules. Restrictive alcohol-specific socialization was, independent of parental alcohol use, related to absence of (regular) early adolescent drinking. Thus, this study demonstrated that in early adolescence alcohol-specific parenting is more important for adolescent drinking than parental alcohol use.

Impact of age at first drink on vulnerability to alcohol-related problems: Testing the marker hypothesis in a prospective study of young adults

There is ample evidence that the early initiation of alcohol use is a risk factor for the development of later alcohol-related problems. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether this association can be explained by indicators of a common underlying susceptibility or whether age at drinking onset may be considered as an independent predictor of later drinking behavior, suggesting a potential causal relationship. Participants were drawn from a prospective cohort study of the long-term outcomes of early risk factors followed up from birth onwards. Structured interviews were administered to 304 participants to assess age at first drink and current drinking behavior. Data on risk factors, including early family adversity, parental alcohol use, childhood psychopathology and stressful life events, were repeatedly collected during childhood using standardized parent interviews. In addition, information on genotype was considered. Results confirmed previous work demonstrating that hazardous alcohol consumption is related to early-adolescent drinking onset. A younger age of first drink was significantly predicted by 5-HTTLPR genotype and the degree of preceding externalizing symptoms, and both factors were related to increased consumption or harmful alcohol use at age 19. However, even after controlling for these potential explanatory factors, earlier age at drinking onset remained a strong predictor of heavy alcohol consumption in young adulthood. The present longitudinal study adds to the current literature indicating that the early onset – adult hazardous drinking association cannot solely be attributed to shared genetic and psychopathologic risk factors as examined in this study.

Parental Socialization and Adolescents' Alcohol Use Behaviors: Predictive Disparities in Parents' Versus Adolescents' Perceptions of the Parenting Environment

Among adolescents, many parenting practices have been associated with the initiation and development of drinking behaviors. However, recent studies suggest discrepancies in parents' and adolescents' perceptions of parenting and their links with adolescent use. In this study, we derive two independent sets of underlying parenting profiles (based on parent and adolescent reported behaviors at age 11–12 years), which were then examined in relation to adolescents' drinking behaviors at ages 14 and 17½. Results indicated that the two sets of profiles accounted for little shared variance, with those based on adolescents' reports being stronger predictors of adolescent drinking. Moreover, comparisons of drinking levels across profiles pointed to multiple parenting strategies that may effectively reduce adolescent alcohol experimentation, including simply sustaining a moderate level of awareness of adolescents' whereabouts and activities and avoiding excessive conflict and strictness.

Predictors of problem drinking in adolescence and young adulthood

We examined drinking behavior of parents, siblings, and friends of twins as predictors of adolescent and young adult problem drinking over a period of 2 and a period of 7 years. Data of 12 to 30-year-old twins and their family members from the Netherlands Twin Register were analyzed. Problem drinking in twins was assessed in 1995 and 2000 and was defined based on the CAGE and amount of drinking. Data on alcohol use of parents, siblings and friends were collected in 1993. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine the short-term (1993-1995; n = 2,994) and the long-term longitudinal predictors (1993-2000; n = 1,796) of problem drinking. Age, sex and own alcohol use in 1993 explained 25% of the variance in adolescent and young adult problem drinking. Moreover, adolescents and young adults with fathers who drank frequently and with a large numbers of drinking friends, were at the highest risk for problem drinking 2 years later. Over a period of 7 years the number of drinking friends was no longer a risk factor, but few times a week or daily alcohol use of fathers remained a risk factor for later problem drinking. Drinking behavior of mother and siblings did not substantially predict problem drinking. Sex and age did not moderate these effects.

Parental divorce and adolescent cigarette smoking and alcohol use: assessing the importance of family conflict

To investigate how family conflict contributes to the relationship between parental divorce and adolescent cigarette smoking and alcohol use. Population-based cross-sectional survey. School classrooms in Iceland in which an anonymous questionnaire was administered to respondents by supervising teachers. Participants were 7430 (81.4%) of 9124 14- to 16-year-old adolescents. Cigarette smoking and alcohol use during the last 30 days were assessed by self-report. Parental divorce was related to adolescent cigarette smoking during the last 30 days (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.84-2.44) when controlling for gender only, but was insignificant (OR = 1.18 95%, CI 0.99-1.44) when controlling for relationship with parents, disruptive social changes and family conflict. There was a significant relationship between parental divorce and adolescent alcohol use during last 30 days (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.48-1.87), controlling only for gender; however, the relationship disappeared (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.91-1.20) when controlling for other variables. Family conflicts are important contributors to the relationship between parental divorce and adolescent cigarette smoking and alcohol use. Conflict between parents and adolescents, but not inter-parental conflict, appears to be the most important factor in the relationship between family conflict and adolescent substance use.

Does technology use moderate the relationship between parental alcoholism and adolescent alcohol and cigarette use?

The primary goals of this study were to examine the associations between technology use and alcohol and cigarette use during adolescence and to explore whether technology use moderates the relationship between parental alcoholism and substance use (alcohol and cigarette use). The sample included 328 14–16 year-old adolescent boys and girls. The adolescents completed a battery of self-report questionnaires which included measures that assessed their substance use, their use of technology, and their parents' alcohol use (including alcoholism). Results indicated that adolescents who had an alcoholic parent reported relatively higher levels of alcohol consumption. Heavier use of technology (particularly text messaging, e-mailing/IMing, and watching television) also was related to earlier and heavier substance use during adolescence. Moreover, these effects tended to be more pronounced in adolescents with an alcoholic parent. Results from this study suggest that high levels of technology use during adolescence may be related to an increased risk of alcohol and cigarette use, particularly for children of alcoholic parents (COAs).

Parental drug and alcohol use as a contributing factor in applications to the Children's Court for protection orders

Drug use has a significant negative impact on the ability of parents to provide safe care for children and an outcome of this is the entry of some of these children into out-of-home care. This poses particular challenges for service providers, not only because of the complex nature of addiction, but also the many other issues facing these families. This paper reports on studies conducted by the Western Australian Department for Community Development in 2004 and 2007 which explored parental drug and alcohol use as a contributing factor in applications to the Children's Court for protection orders. The results of the 2004 study showed that parental drug and alcohol use was the second most common contributing factor in protection applications after neglect. It was also confirmed that drug and alcohol use rarely occurs in isolation, with strong links identified to neglect and domestic violence, as well as other factors, including physical abuse and homelessness/transient lifestyle. The 2007 follow-up study further highlighted the co-existence of parental drug and alcohol use and domestic violence.

Hazardous cosleeping environments and risk factors amenable to change: case-control study of SIDS in south west England

Objectives To investigate the factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) from birth to age 2 years, whether recent advice has been followed, whether any new risk factors have...

Parental Alcohol Screening in Pediatric Practices

Pediatricians are in an ideal position to screen parents of their patients for alcohol use. The objective of this study was to assess parents' preferences regarding screening and intervention for parental alcohol use during pediatric office visits for their children. A descriptive multicenter study that used 3 pediatric primary care clinic sites (rural, urban, suburban) was conducted between June 2004 and December 2006. Participants were a convenience sample of consecutively recruited parents who brought children for medical care. Parents completed an anonymous questionnaire that contained demographics; 2 alcohol-screening tests (TWEAK and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test); and items that assessed preferences for who should perform alcohol-screening, acceptance of screening, and preferred interventions if the screening result was positive. A total of 929 of 1028 eligible parents agreed to participate, and 879 of 929 completed surveys that yielded sufficient data for analysis. Most participants were mothers. A total of 101 of 879 parents screened positive on either the TWEAK or the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Parents with a negative alcohol screen (alcohol-negative) were more likely than parents with a positive alcohol screen (alcohol-positive) to report that they would agree to being asked about their alcohol use. There were no significant differences in preferences within alcohol-positive and alcohol-negative groups for screening by the pediatrician or computer-based questionnaire. Most preferred interventions for the alcohol-positive group were for the pediatrician to initiate additional discussion about drinking and its effect on their child, give educational materials about alcoholism, and refer for evaluation and treatment. Alcohol-positive men were more accepting than alcohol-positive women of having no intervention. A majority of parents would agree to being screened for alcohol problems in the pediatric office. Regardless of their alcohol screen status, parents are accepting of being screened by the pediatrician, a computer-based questionnaire, or a paper-and-pencil survey. Parents who screen positive prefer that the pediatrician discuss the problem further with them and present options for referral.

The role of parental psychopathology and family environment for social phobia in the first three decades of life

To examine the role of parental psychopathology and family environment for the risk of social phobia (SP) in offspring from childhood to early adulthood, encompassing the high risk period for SP. A community sample of 1,395 adolescents was prospectively followed-up over 10 years. Offspring and parental psychopathology were assessed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) using the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI), and direct diagnostic interviews in parents were supplemented by family history reports. Parental rearing was assessed by the Questionnaire of Recalled Rearing Behavior administered to offspring. Family functioning was assessed by the McMaster Family Assessment Device administered to parents. Parental SP was associated with offspring's risk to develop SP (OR=3.3, 95%CI:1.4-8.0). Other parental anxiety disorders (OR=2.9, 95%CI:1.4-6.1), depression (OR=2.6, 95%CI:1.2-5.4), and alcohol use disorders (OR=2.8, 95%CI:1.3-6.1) were also associated with offspring SP. Parental rearing styles of overprotection, rejection, and lack of emotional warmth were associated with offspring SP. Family functioning measures were not associated with offspring SP. Analyses of interaction of parental psychopathology and parental rearing indicated combined effects on the risk for offspring SP. Parental psychopathology and rearing were associated with offspring SP, independently as well as in their interaction. Further delineation of these associations is warranted as malleable components of these risk factors may provide potential targets for prevention programs. In addition, parent-to-offspring transmission of other internalizing disorders should be considered to examine the degree of diagnostic specificity.

Parental Factors Influence Teen Alcohol Use After an Emergency Department Visit

To determine if parental factors are significant predictors of short-term adolescent drinking after an alcohol-related emergency department (ED) visit. Adolescents, 13 to 17 years, who either had evidence or reported usage of alcohol in the 6 hours before an ED visit, were eligible for this study. Alcohol use was assessed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Data on parental variables and parenting practices were collected at baseline. Linear regression models were created to determine the relationship between parental factors and follow-up drinking. Parental alcohol use, socioeconomic status, and monitoring practices were significant predictors of adolescent alcohol use at 3-month follow-up. Parental factors may significantly influence subsequent adolescent drinking after an ED visit. These factors should be assessed when treating alcohol-positive teens, and parents should be advised to closely monitor their teens.