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Published on: August 5, 2017
Alcohol-specific parenting, adolescent alcohol use and the mediating effect of adolescent alcohol-related cognitions
Suzanne H W Mares1, Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff, Rutger C M E Engels
1Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. s.mares@pwo.ru.nl
Objectives:
Previous research indicated that alcohol-specific parenting is an important precursor of adolescent alcohol use, but failed to define the underlying mechanism. Based on social cognitive theory, alcohol-related cognitions such as alcohol refusal self-efficacy and alcohol-related expectancies were hypothesised to mediate this link.
Design:
A cross-sectional survey included 1349 mothers and their sixth grade (11-12 years old) adolescent offspring. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the association between alcohol-specific parenting and adolescent alcohol use, mediated by adolescent alcohol-related cognitions.
Main Outcome Measures:
Adolescent alcohol use, drinking refusal self-efficacy and alcohol expectancies.
Results:
The associations between frequency of communication, maternal alcohol use and adolescent alcohol use were mediated by negative alcohol-related expectancies. The associations between quality of communication, rules and disclosure and adolescent alcohol use were mediated by self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
The present study provides a first indication that the underlying mechanism of the association between the most important alcohol-specific parenting practices and adolescent alcohol use can be contributed to the mediating effect of alcohol-refusal self-efficacy.
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