Communication and Supervision of Alcohol in the Family: Parental Perspectives

Abstract

It is now well acknowledged that parents can have a central role in supporting sensible alcohol use and reducing alcohol misuse amongst young people. However, little research has considered how communication and supervision in relation to alcohol actually takes place within the family. Drawing upon interviews with the parents of young people aged 13–17 years (n = 40), this article describes the strategies that many parents use in communicating, monitoring, and supervising alcohol use within the family. The findings revealed that many parents lack the guidance needed to convey ‘sensible drinking’ messages to young people, and wish for greater information and support about young people and alcohol.

Parent–child connectedness and communication in relation to alcohol, tobacco and drug use in adolescence: An integrative review of the literature

“…When conversations are open and involve discussions rather than lectures, adolescents feel more comfortable and report lower rates of substance use (Chaplin et al, 2014). In terms of alcohol use, parents feel that it is necessary to negotiate boundaries around drinking behaviour, preferring to use a harm reduction than an abstinence based approach (Bourdeau et al, 2012;Highet, 2005;Sherriff et al, 2008). As might be expected, such an approach does not extend to smoking and drug use, when adolescents are specifically told not to engage in these behaviours (Highet, 2005;Levy et al, 2010;Maggi et al, 2014).…”

“…In six studies, parents reported a range of issues when communicating with their children about substance use. Difficulties in starting conversations and concerns about providing inconsistent messages were highlighted by parents (Bourdeau et al, 2012;Sherriff et al, 2008). Parental worries about adolescent substance use often influenced how they communicated with their children, by avoiding having these discussions (Levy et al, 2010) and by providing lower quality communication (Koning, van den Eijnden, Glatz, & Vollebergh, 2013).…”

“…/09687637.2016 can have a considerable impact on their conversations about substance use and subsequent behaviours. (Guilamo-Ramos et al, 2008;Highet, 2005;Kulbok et al, 2010;Sherriff, Cox, Coleman, & Roker, 2008). The way in which parents talk to their children about substance use is crucial; when they are perceived as lecturing them, adolescents are often unreceptive and do not assimilate these messages (Guilamo-Ramos et al, 2008;Levy et al, 2010;Maggi et al, 2014;Metzger et al, 2013;Sherriff et al, 2008).…”

“…Parents often talk about their own or others' substance use as a way of initiating conversations and to convey messages about health risks (Guilamo-Ramos et al, 2008;Kulbok et al, 2010;Sherriff et al, 2008). However, such an approach may be detrimental, increasing substance use.…”

“…Parents report using a wide range of messages when communicating with their children about substance use, including rules, health risks, consequences, moderation and the law (Bourdeau et al, 2012;Sherriff et al, 2008). Ennett, Bauman, Foshee, Pemberton, & Hicks (2001) made the distinction between ''harder'' and ''softer'' communication.…”