Parental Socialization Factors and Adolescent Drinking Behaviors

From family socialization theory, it is hypothesized in this study that parents, as models and as agents of socialization, influence the development of various types of drinking behaviors in their children. In-home interviews were conducted with a representative general population sample of adolescents from 12 to 17 years old and their mothers and fathers. The findings revealed that adolescent drinking can be explained in part by parental models of drinking behavior; for example, heavier-drinking parents were more likely than other parents to have adolescents who were also heavier drinkers. Parental socialization factors, particularly support and to a lesser degree control, were also shown to have an effect on the development of adolescent drinking behaviors. It was concluded that the family socialization process should be considered as a critical element in the prevention of problem behaviors such as alcohol abuse.