Children of all ages and adolescents who sip or taste alcohol with their parents’ permission are more prone to risky drink in a young adult. It was the discovery of a new study, my colleagues, and I published in the magazine’s behavior.
During the study, we investigated the questionnaires after completing 2009 to 2018, 387 teenagers, starting at the age of 11, and accompanying the father. The topics included the history of alcohol and parents’ alcohol consumption, beliefs about alcohol and rules about alcohol homes. The questionnaires also asked teenagers whether they had ever drank alcohol with their parents’ permission, not only a few sips – and if so, at what age they did first.
We analyzed whether alcohol consumption with parental permission in adolescence predicted alcohol results in a young adult at the age of 18-20. These results included how often and how much they drank, the symptoms of alcohol disorders and negative consequences, such as self -injury and regrets that say while drinking.
Then we looked at whether this practice started with the likelihood of a risk drink. During the analysis, we also took into account factors such as colleagues ‘alcohol consumption, parents’ alcohol consumption and personality.
In our sample, the drink with the permission of the parents started between the ages of 5 and 17, but usually started at about 12 years. We found that about 80% of teenagers replied that they had drunk alcohol with their parents’ permission. This number is higher than in some other studies, probably because our study had a wide range of ages. Studies studying this topic are mostly focused on younger teens who are less allowed to test alcohol, but this practice becomes more common because teenagers are aging.
We found that teenagers were more prone to a young adult drink more often and larger in families that allowed this practice compared to those who did not. There was also a greater risk of alcohol consumption and negative consequences due to symptoms of alcohol disorders. Importantly, the age from which the drink with the permission of the parents began did not change this effect.
Why it matters
Parents play a critical role in teaching their children about alcohol. Family is often the first context in which children are introduced to alcohol by testing it themselves or observing others drinking. US studies show that 30-40% of children under 13 test alcohol with their parents’ permission.
Many parents view this as a protective strategy, believing that it reduces alcohol curiosity and allows you to look after a safe drink. However, studies of several research groups have found that parents who provide alcohol, even sips or flavors, actually increase rather than reduce alcohol consumption.
Our study is the first to be investigated whether the age of alcohol with the permission of the parents changes the increased potential of subsequent alcohol consumption. In general, conclusions can inform public health reports explaining the risk that teenagers are allowed to test alcohol at any age.
Why can parents permit to sip or taste alcohol increase risk? Some scientists have speculated that this could encourage the belief that parents support minors to drink and move their children’s attitudes and beliefs to be more alcoholic alcoholic drugs.
Continuing and still unpublished work in our laboratory supports it. This is what enhances their beliefs about potential positive drinks, such as making parties more fun and weakening beliefs about possible negative results, such as getting into trouble.
What is still unknown
Future research can explain whether to regularly sip and taste alcohol in adolescence is more risky than only once or twice.
In addition, what harmful practice can depend on teenagers’ personalities and the context in which parents allow it. For example, this can be particularly harmful to children who tend to look for new and exciting experiences. On the other hand, in highly structured environments such as religious events, it can be less risky.
The short thing in the study is a fun academic work.
This article has been published from a conversation, non -profit, independent news organizations that provide you with facts and reliable analysis to help you give meaning to our complex world. Wrote it: Bernard’s passes, University in Buffalo
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Bernard goes beyond work, consulting, having funds of any company or organization, or receiving funding that would benefit from this article, and has not disclosed any related relationships for their academic appointment.