The association between family environment and underage drinking in Ireland

Mid-adolescence is a critical developmental stage for the onset of drunkenness and binge drinking. In the West of Ireland, 34.1% of adolescents reported binge drinking in the 2020 Planet Youth analysis [16], compared with 35.6% in the present 2022 study.

To estimate associations between family environment factors and underage drinking among 15-16-year-olds and to examine reported sources of alcohol access.

We conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of Planet Youth 2022 Ireland survey (n = 4615) among 15-16 year olds. The study outcomes were binge drinking and being drunk in the last 30 days. Exposures were parental monitoring, supervision, support (continuous scales), and family structure. Continuous variables were expressed in median and interquartile ranges. Appropriate statistical tests (Mann-Whitney U test) were performed. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders for effect estimates.

28.7% reported being drunk in the last 30 days and 35.6% reported binge drinking. One standard deviation (SD) increase in parental monitoring was significantly associated with lower odds of binge drinking (OR = 0.66; 95%CI:0.57-0.76) and being drunk (OR = 0.68; 95%CI:0.58-0.80, p < 0.001). Similarly, one SD increase in parental support was associated with lower odds of binge drinking (OR = 0.80; 95%CI:0.72-0.90) and being drunk in the last 30 days (OR = 0.81; 95%CI:0.72-0.91) respectively. Parental supervision was not significant. The most common sources of alcohol products were friends/schoolmates, parents/carers, and pubs/shops.

Parental monitoring and support are protective of underage drinking. Peers, family members and retail shops were easy access to sourcing alcohol products among adolescents.