Family factors in adolescent alcohol and drug abuse

Family structure, parental socialization practices and peer involvement were examined for their influence on alcohol-related problems, illicit drug use and other deviant behavior among a high school sample of adolescents. Parental support, specific parental guidelines for adolescent behaviors and parental attitudes toward drinking were found to be significant predictors of all three problem behavior outcomes. Conflict between parent and peer attitudes also was found to have a significant impact on substance abuse and other problem behaviors.