Parent-based interventions for preventing or reducing adolescent substance use - A systematic literature review

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Public Health
• Family Studies

Background:

• Parents are crucial socializing agents for adolescents, offering a key avenue for substance use prevention and intervention.
• Adolescent substance use (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) remains a significant public health concern.
• Parent-based interventions are increasingly recognized for their potential impact on adolescent behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the effectiveness of parent-based programs in preventing, curbing, or reducing substance use among adolescents aged 10–18.
• To identify key program characteristics influencing intervention outcomes.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for incorporating parents into substance use prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of randomized trials evaluating parent-based programs for adolescent substance use.
• Searches conducted across PubMed, PsychInfo, Eric, and Google Scholar databases.
• Inclusion criteria focused on trials published within the last 12 years, targeting adolescents aged 10–18, and assessing alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis use.

Main Results:

• Parenting strategies like rule-setting, monitoring, and enhancing parent-child communication demonstrated positive effects.
• Evidence suggests parent-based programs can prevent, curb, or reduce adolescent substance use.
• Program effectiveness is contingent on factors such as adolescent age group, parent characteristics, and program intensity.

Conclusions:

• Parent-based programs are important for impeding substance use initiation and reducing existing use in adolescents.
• Tailoring interventions to specific age groups and parent populations is crucial for maximizing effectiveness.
• Integrating parents into prevention and intervention efforts is a vital strategy for addressing adolescent substance use.