Youth Substance Use and Parenting Styles
Substance misuse among young individuals, affecting a minimum of 25% of those between the ages of 18 and 20 (Patterson, 2023), poses a significant societal concern. Families often grapple with feelings of inadequacy and helplessness when confronted with their children’s substance misuse issues, raising critical questions about the family’s role in addressing this challenge. Must families bear the burden of guilt, and to what extent can parenting styles impact their children’s initiation of substance use?
Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin have categorized parenting styles into four distinct types (Berge et al., 2016). Let’s take a brief exploration of these parenting styles, based on Berge et al. (2016):
• Authoritative Parenting: Authoritative parents are not only attuned to their children’s emotions and needs but also skillfully establish clear expectations and boundaries. They strike a healthy balance between warmth and discipline, nurturing an environment conducive to trust and open communication.
• Authoritarian Parenting: Authoritarian parents tend to enforce strict control over their children’s behavior, often at the expense of their child’s emotions and individuality. This style leans more towards discipline and less towards warmth.
• Permissive Parenting: Permissive parents are typically lenient, undemanding, and may be hesitant to impose consequences for their children’s actions. They prioritize warmth and support over discipline.
• Neglectful Parenting: Neglectful parents, as the name suggests, fail to meet their child’s basic needs and are largely disengaged in their lives. This parenting style often stems from parental issues, such as past trauma, depression, or abuse (Li, 2023).
Research findings underscore the influence of parenting styles on youth substance use. Neglectful parenting, one of these styles, has been linked to unfavorable outcomes related to substance use (Berge et al., 2016). Neglectful parents often struggle to provide the necessary guidance and support, leaving their children susceptible to the influences of their peer group (Li, 2023).
In contrast, children raised by authoritative parents tend to exhibit lower rates of substance and alcohol consumption (Berge et al., 2016). These parents actively engage with their children, establishing rules and boundaries while encouraging open dialogues about behaviors and their consequences. Authoritative parents cultivate trust in their children by explaining the rationale behind rules, ultimately empowering their children to make responsible choices (Li, 2023). The sense of self-worth and autonomy that children of authoritative parents develop further fortifies their ability to resist substance use.
In summary, youth substance use is a multifaceted issue where family dynamics play a pivotal role. While peer influence remains a significant factor, the conduct and parenting styles of families significantly shape their children’s choice of friends and the likelihood of engaging in substance use. Families can make a meaningful impact on preventing or addressing substance misuse among their children by adopting supportive, authoritative parenting styles.
References
Berge, J., Sundell, K., Öjehagen, A., & Håkansson, A. (2016). The Role of Parenting Styles in Adolescent Substance Use: Findings from a Swedish Longitudinal Cohort Study. BMJ Open, 6(1), e008979. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008979
Li, P. (2023, May 12). The 4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Children. Parenting For Brain. https://www.parentingforbrain.com/4-baumrind-parenting-styles/
Patterson, E. (2023, March 7). Tips for Parents of Addicted Children: Child & Teen Drug Addiction. DrugAbuse.com. https://drugabuse.com/guide-for-families/parents-of-addicted-children/