Citation

Ramer NE, Paige KJ, Colder CR. Alcohol Clin. Exp. Res. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/acer.14520

PMID

33232523

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The literature suggests mixed findings regarding the association between parental alcohol communication and offspring alcohol use. To clarify these mixed findings, this study tested a prospective mediated moderation model such that the association between parental communication about the risks of alcohol use and emerging adult offspring drinking was mediated by offspring perceived parental approval of drinking. Parental alcohol expectancies and use were tested as a moderator of the link between communication and perceived approval.

METHOD: The community sample of 378 emerging adult and caregiver dyads completed three annual assessments (first assessment mean age = 19.13). The sample was 54% female and majority White/non-Hispanic (76%). Caregivers reported on their own alcohol expectancies and use, and emerging adult offspring reported on parental communication of alcohol risks, perceived parental approval of drinking, and their own alcohol use.

RESULTS: Multilevel modeling was used to test hypotheses. Mediated moderation was largely supported. More frequent communication about the risks of drinking was prospectively associated with low levels of perceived parental approval of alcohol use, which in turn, was associated with low levels of offspring drinking. This pathway depended on parental alcohol expectancies.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest consideration of mediators (e.g., perceived approval of drinking) helps clarify the mixed literature on parental communication about alcohol, and that parental attitudes about alcohol can impact the effectiveness with which parents convey the risk of alcohol to offspring.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol-specific communication; alcohol-specific parenting; emerging adult alcohol use/drinking; parental alcohol expectancies; perceived parental approval of alcohol use