Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats
Published on: December 14, 2014
Partner effects and bidirectional parent-child effects in family alcohol use
Roy Otten1, Carmen S van der Zwaluw, Haske van der Vorst
1Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.otten@pwo.ru.nl
Introduction:
The current study investigated partner effects and bidirectional parent-child effects in family alcohol use.
Methods:
A full family, longitudinal design was used to test the hypotheses. Participants were 428 families, including mothers, fathers, and 2 children. Associations were measured over two waves with a 2-year interval, by means of structural equation modeling.
Results:
Whereas alcohol use of the younger children was affected by alcohol use of both parents, alcohol use of the older children was only affected by alcohol use of mother. Moreover, although the effects were small, alcohol use of older children affected later alcohol use of both parents.
Conclusions:
Associations between alcohol use of parents and children seem to be bidirectional. Future studies are needed to find out whether these findings are incidental or structural. If the effects are structural, potential underlying reciprocal processes within the family play a role in the development of adolescent alcohol use.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
01:35Pedigree Analysis
01:27Relationship Growth