Teenagers Are Right—Parents Do Not Know Much: An Analysis of Adolescent–Parent Agreement on Reports of Adolescent Substance Use, Abuse, and Dependence

Fisher, Sherri L.; Bucholz, Kathleen K.; Reich, Wendy; Fox, Louis; Kuperman, Samuel; Kramer, John; Hesselbrock, Victor; Dick, Danielle M.; Nürnberger, John I.; Edenberg, Howard J.; Bierut, Laura J.

doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00205.x

Cited by 74 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…We extended these fi ndings to include high-risk youths involved in public systems of care. Similar to previous studies, alcohol and marijuana were the most frequently used substances by youths, with half of youths having used them at least once in their lifetime, and parent-youth agreement was highest for marijuana use (Fisher et al, 2006;Langhinrichsen et al, 1990;McGillicuddy et al, 2007). Psychiatric research pointing to higher agreement among disorders with more observable behaviors (Achenbach et al, 1987) may explain the higher agreement for marijuana use, because the odors and residues associated with marijuana may be more evident to parents.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Cantwell and colleagues (1997) found that youths and parents had the lowest level of agreement when reporting alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms (κ = .19) and an average level of agreement about substance abuse/dependence (κ = .41) compared with other major psychiatric diagnostic categories assessed in this study (overall κ = .42). Fisher et al (2006) found comparable rates of agreement for alcohol abuse/dependence (κ = .37) and marijuana abuse/dependence (κ = .35), whereas O'Donnell et al (1998) found moderate rates of diagnostic agreement for alcohol abuse/dependence (κ = .44) and low agreement for drug abuse/dependence (κ = .29). Despite differing levels of agreement, most studies consistently fi nd greater levels of substance-related problems among youth reporters compared with their parents (Cantwell et al, 1997;Fisher et al, 2006;O'Donnell et al, 1998).…”

Section: Correspondence Between Parental and Youth Report Of Substancmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Williams and colleagues (2003) found that 46% of youths reported past-month alcohol use and 11% of youths reported past-month drug use, compared with parents' reports of 18% and 2% for alcohol and drug use, respectively (κ = .33 for alcohol use, κ = .20 for illicit drug use). Other research found that parents were aware of their child's drug and alcohol use in only half of reported cases (Fisher et al, 2006).…”

Section: Correspondence Between Parental and Youth Report Of Substancmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…General population studies have consistently found only moderate levels of agreement for substance use, with higher rates of reported use among youths compared with their parents (Cantwell et al, 1997;Fisher et al, 2006;Friedman, 1988;O'Donnell et al, 1998;Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008;Williams et al, 2003). Williams and colleagues (2003) found that 46% of youths reported past-month alcohol use and 11% of youths reported past-month drug use, compared with parents' reports of 18% and 2% for alcohol and drug use, respectively (κ = .33 for alcohol use, κ = .20 for illicit drug use).…”

Section: Correspondence Between Parental and Youth Report Of Substancmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Parental Awareness of Substance Use Among Youths in Public Service Sectors

Green

Bekman²,

Miller³

et al. 2011

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

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ABSTRACT. Objective: When asked about substance use, youths typically endorse higher levels of use than parents, suggesting that parents are often unaware of their child's drug and alcohol use. This study sought to examine the level of concordance between reports of youths enrolled in public sectors of care and their parents, and identify potential predictors of parental awareness of substance use and related problems. Method: Youths receiving services in one or more public sectors of care (N = 985; 67% male) and their parents were interviewed about the youths' substance use and substance use problems, as well as associated demographic, parental, and youth factors. Results: As has been found in other studies, youths generally reported higher rates of substance use and substance use problems compared with parents. Rates of agreement ranged from κ = .24 (sedatives) to κ = .67 (marijuana) and were higher for drug problems (κ = .47) than for alcohol problems (κ = .34). Predictors of parental awareness of drug problems included youth gender (male), race (White compared with Hispanic), and higher ratings of youth's functional impairment. Predictors of parental awareness of alcohol problems included race (White compared with Hispanic), lower levels of youth-reported parental monitoring, lower levels of parental depression, and higher ratings of youth functional impairment. Conclusions: In this high-risk population, a signifi cant proportion of parents are unaware of their child's alcohol (30%) and substance use (50%) problems. Services geared toward enhancing parental awareness, especially for parents of Hispanic and female youths, may increase communication and treatment seeking. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72,

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Correspondence Between Parental and Youth Report Of Substancmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Correspondence Between Parental and Youth Report Of Substancmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Correspondence Between Parental and Youth Report Of Substancmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Parental Awareness of Substance Use Among Youths in Public Service Sectors

Green

Bekman²,

Miller³

et al. 2011

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Parents tend to be uninformed about their teen's alcohol use and related problems. 23 Blood and breath tests for alcohol yield positive results for only a few hours after consumption. Health care professionals can improve the validity of reports by assuring patients that their reports will be kept in confidence.…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Audsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening and Brief Intervention for Underage Drinkers

Clark

Gordon

Ettaro

et al. 2010

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

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In a 2007 report, the US Surgeon General called for health care professionals to renew efforts to reduce underage drinking. Focusing on the adolescent patient, this review provides health care professionals with recommendations for alcohol-related screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. MEDLINE and published reviews were used to identify relevant literature. Several brief screening methods have been shown to effectively identify underage drinkers likely to have alcohol use disorders. After diagnostic assessment when germane, the initial intervention typically focuses on education, motivation for change, and consideration of treatment options. Internet-accessible resources providing effective brief interventions are available, along with supplemental suggestions for parents. Recent changes in federal and commercial insurance reimbursement policies provide some fiscal support for these services, although rate increases and expanded applicability may be required to prompt the participation of many practitioners. Nevertheless, advances in clinical methods and progress on reimbursement policies have made screening and brief intervention for underage drinking more feasible in general health care practice. Proc. 2010;85(4):380-391 Mayo Clin

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