Alcohol-specific parenting, adolescent alcohol use and the mediating effect of adolescent alcohol-related cognitions.
OBJECTIVE
Previous research indicated that alcohol-specific parenting is an important precursor of adolescent alcohol use, but failed to define the underlying mechanism. Based on social cognitive theory, alcohol-related cognitions such as alcohol refusal self-efficacy and alcohol-related expectancies were hypothesised to mediate this link.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey included 1349 mothers and their sixth grade (11-12 years old) adolescent offspring. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the association between alcohol-specific parenting and adolescent alcohol use, mediated by adolescent alcohol-related cognitions.


METHODS
Adolescent alcohol use, drinking refusal self-efficacy and alcohol expectancies.


RESULTS
The associations between frequency of communication, maternal alcohol use and adolescent alcohol use were mediated by negative alcohol-related expectancies. The associations between quality of communication, rules and disclosure and adolescent alcohol use were mediated by self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study provides a first indication that the underlying mechanism of the association between the most important alcohol-specific parenting practices and adolescent alcohol use can be contributed to the mediating effect of alcohol-refusal self-efficacy.
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. s.mares@pwo.ru.nl
Suzanne H W
SH
Mares
Anna
A
Lichtwarck-Aschoff
Rutger C M E
RC
Engels
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016487:Parenting; D020377:Self Efficacy