Parental monitoring and changes in substance use among Latino/a and non-Latino/a preadolescents in the Southwest

Subst Use Misuse. 2010 Dec;45(14):2524-50. doi: 10.3109/10826081003728256. Epub 2010 Apr 15.

Abstract

Prior research shows parental monitoring is associated with less substance use, but these studies have some limitations. Many examine older adolescents from White, Euro-American heritage, and cross-sectional studies are unable to test if parental monitoring decreases substance use over time. We address these limitations with longitudinal data of 2,034 primarily Latino preadolescents in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in 2004-2005. We use multilevel regression with multiple imputation of missing data. We find parental monitoring has beneficial, longitudinal effects on youth's substance use and related intentions, norms, and attitudes. Effects are invariant to gender or Latino ethnicity, except in the case of marijuana.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Arizona / epidemiology
  • Attitude
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Regression Analysis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / ethnology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / prevention & control*
  • White People*