Parental Drinking Patterns and Adolescent Alcohol Consumption: Considering the Role of Sex and Developmental Stage

IntroductionResearch indicates that parental behaviors shape adolescents' alcohol consumption, but it is unclear whether mothers or fathers have a more significant impact and how this relationship varies by sex and developmental stage. This study examines the effects of parental alcohol consumption patterns on adolescents in Russia using a large representative sample.MethodsThe study employs pooled data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey-Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE) from 2006 to 2019. The final sample included 25 611 cases of adolescents with the available data on their parents (20% male adolescents aged 14-17, 20% female adolescents aged 14-17, 28% male adolescents aged 18-22, and 32% female adolescents aged 18-22; M = 18.22, SD = 2.63). Logistic regression models were used to account for sex and developmental stages. Adolescent drinking was measured as a binary variable indicating drinking at least sometimes, while parental drinking was categorised into five levels, including moderate and excessive consumption.ResultsMaternal alcohol consumption patterns were associated with adolescent drinking. Sex differences were observed, with parental drinking patterns showing a greater association with alcohol use for female adolescents. For middle adolescents, a positive association with excessive alcohol consumption by their parents was found.ConclusionThe study emphasises the importance of considering both parents' alcohol consumption patterns when examining adolescent alcohol use, with findings indicating that maternal drinking played a more significant role than paternal drinking. It is crucial to explore this relationship separately for male and female adolescents, considering the stage of adolescence.