Parental Messages about Substance Use in Early Adolescence: Extending a Model of Drug-Talk Styles

Health Commun. 2018 Mar;33(3):349-358. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2017.1283565. Epub 2017 Feb 19.

Abstract

This study extends a typology of parent-offspring drug talk styles to early adolescents and investigates associations with adolescent substance use. Data come from a self-report survey associated with a school-based, 7th grade drug prevention curriculum. Mixed methods were used to collect data across four measurement occasions spanning 30 months. Findings highlight the frequencies of various drug-talk styles over time (i.e., situated direct, ongoing direct, situated indirect, ongoing indirect, never talked), messages adolescents hear from parents, and comparisons of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use by drug-talk style. This study advances an understanding of parent-adolescent communication about substances and holds practical implications for drug prevention efforts.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Cannabis / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Communication*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Self Report*
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Substance-Related Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Underage Drinking / prevention & control