Parent–Child Relations and Peer Associations as Mediators of the Family Structure–Substance Use Relationship

Abstract

!Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Survey of 1988, the authors assess the extent to which adolescents' levels of parental attachment and opportunities for participating in delinquent activities mediate the family structure-substance use relationship. A series of hierarchical regressions supported the hypotheses that high levels of substance use among adolescents residing with stepfamilies would be explained by low parental attachment, whereas heightened opportunities for participating in deviant activities would account for the substance use behaviors of individuals living in single-parent households. More generally, the findings suggest that family structure has a moderate effect on youth substance use; that parental and peer relations are better predictors than family structure of levels of alcohol and marijuana consumption; and that variations in parental attachment, parenting style, and peer relations across family types explain some, but not all, of the effects of family structure on adolescents' substance use behaviors. ! !During the past quarter century, there has been a substantial shift in the structure of the family within this country. In 1970, almost 90% of children resided with either both biological or adoptive parents (Fields & Casper, 2001). Thirty years later, only 64% of children resided in such households (National Survey of America's Families, 2002), with an increasing number of children living in single-parent and stepfamilies (Cherlin & Furstenberg, 1994;Fields & Casper, 2001). Individuals emphasizing the importance of the traditional family as an agent of socialization have cited these changes in family organization as a source of a variety of negative outcomes, including the use of alcohol and other drugs, among today's youth (Clayton, 1992). !Adolescents living in single-parent and stepfamilies report higher levels of substance use than children who reside with both biological parents (Flewelling & Bauman, 1990;Hoffmann, 1995Hoffmann, , 2002Hoffmann & Johnson, 1998;Kierkus & Baer, 2002;Needle, Su, & Doherty, 1990;Stern, Northman, & Van Slyck, 1984), especially when the loss of a custodial parent is recent (Gil, Vega, & Biafora, 1998;Kurdek, Blisk, & Siesky, 1981). It is, however, yet to be determined how particular family forms, and marital disruption more generally, enhance adolescents' risks for the use of alcohol and other drugs (Demo & Acock, 1988;Hoffmann, 1995;Kierkus & Baer, 2002). Interestingly, neither decreased economic resources nor increased residential mobility, two factors frequently associated with marital disruption, account for substantial amounts of the variability in these behaviors across family types (Acock & Kiecolt, 1989;Amato & Keith, 1991;Hoffmann & Johnson, 1998).Differences in patterns of parent-child interaction across family forms may provide a better explanation for the higher levels of substance use found among adolescents residing with singleparent and stepfamilies. From a social control perspective, bonds to conventional society, in part...

Youth alcohol drinking behavior: Associated risk and protective factors

“…Adequate attachment and implication together with family positive relationships has shown to be a protective factor for alcohol and other substance use (Crawford & Novak, 2008;Ryan, Jorm, & Lubman, 2010;Van Der Vorst, Engels, Meeus, & Dekovic, 2006). Family attachment can counterweight the influence of other risk factors like peer pressure.…”

The Interplay Between Parents and Peers as Socializing Influences in Children's Development

“…These parenting and peer interactions then infl uence such things as substance use (Crawford & Novak, 2008 ), antisocial and delinquent behavior (Cantillon, 2006 ), and sexual activity (Fasula & Miller, 2006 ). Although this is a growing area of research on adolescents, fewer investigations have been directed toward younger children and their parents and peers in context.…”

Does the Quality of Parent–Child Relationships Mediate the Increased Risk for Antisocial Behavior and Substance Use Among Adolescents in Single-Mother and Single-Father Families?

“…There is, however, one clear exception. The results from a growing number of studies suggest that adolescents in single-father families are monitored and supervised less than their peers in single-mother families (Buchanan et al, 1992;Cookston, 1999;Crawford & Novak, 2008;Downey, 1994;Lippman, 2004;Maccoby & Mnookin, 1992;Thomson, McLanahan, & Curtin, 1992). Based on the results of these studies, we hypothesized (Hypothesis 3) that lack of parental monitoring would act as a mediator of the association between living in a single-father household and the risk of both antisocial behavior and substance use.…”