Good Relationship With Parents May Prevent Teen Drinking Problems

Another study underscores the protective benefits of parents being proactive in pursuing a good relationship with their teenager.

Teenagers who have a strong relationship with their parents may start drinking at a later age -- which may, in turn, lessen their risk of developing alcohol problems, a new study suggests.

The findings, published in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, underscore the important role parents play in the risk of problem drinking.

Past studies have suggested that the age at which kids start drinking is a key factor in whether they eventually develop alcohol-related problems, like getting into fights or having academic or work problems.

So it often has been assumed that drinking at an early age, in and of itself, is the problem, explained the study's lead author, Dr. Emmanuel Kuntsche, of the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"Our work shows that the 'preventive effect' of a later drinking age is likely to be a side effect of a good parent-child relationship," Kuntsche said. "In other words, the circumstances in which that first drinks occurs -- and how parents deal with it -- is important."

The study's data revealed the importance of parents' influence. In fact, only teenagers who reported both a later drinking age and a high-quality relationship with their parents had a lower risk of drinking problems compared with their peers.

A high-quality relationship was one where teenagers felt they could discuss their problems with their parents and that their parents respected their feelings.

Source: Science Daily
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423180235.htm

Comments

[adolescent alcohol treatment]

I agree good relationship with their parents can prevent the teens in drinking alcohol and not only that, they prevent them to involve in drug addiction. Parent are the people who has a big responsibility in the actuations of the teen.

-mj-

[ca sober living]

well being open in the family is a big help for this problems, teen would open up and share there problems that would prevent them from hiding something from you which is a good thing.

[Troubled Teens]

The problem of teenage alcohol drinking and drug abuse has rapidly increased in kids and teens. According to the latest research it is concluded that teens those have poor relations with parents are more likely to be suffer from alcohol addiction. For improving the life of alcoholic children parents must give enough time to kids and make them realize that they are good. Strong relations and communications between parents and teenagers, fostering environment and extended care can prevent the habit of drug alcohol abuse in teens. Families can also take help of drug rehabs to prevent drug addiction relapse.
http://www.troubledteens.net/Problems-in-Teens/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Abuse.html