Abstract
Previous research has provided considerable support for idea that increased parental support and control are strong determinants
of lower prevalence levels of adolescent risk behavior. Much less is known on the association between specific parenting practices,
such as concrete rules with respect to smoking and drinking and adolescent risk behavior. The present paper examined whether
such concrete parental rules (1) have an effect on the targeted behaviors and (2) predict other, frequently co-occurring,
risk behaviors (i.e., cannabis use and early sexual intercourse). These hypotheses were tested in a nationally representative
sample of 12- to 16-year-old adolescents in the Netherlands. We found that both types of rules were associated with a lower
prevalence of the targeted behaviors (i.e., smoking and drinking). In addition, independent of adolescent smoking and drinking
behaviors, parental rules on smoking predicted a lower prevalence of cannabis use and early sexual intercourse, and parental
rules on alcohol use also predicted a lower prevalence of early sexual intercourse. This study showed that concrete parental
rule setting is more strongly related to lower levels of risk behaviors in adolescents compared to the more general parenting
practices (i.e., support and control). Additionally, the effects of such rules do not only apply to the targeted behavior
but extend to related behaviors as well. These findings are relevant to the public health domain and suggest that a single
intervention program that addresses a limited number of concrete parenting practices, in combination with traditional support
and control practices, may be effective in reducing risk behaviors in adolescence.
of lower prevalence levels of adolescent risk behavior. Much less is known on the association between specific parenting practices,
such as concrete rules with respect to smoking and drinking and adolescent risk behavior. The present paper examined whether
such concrete parental rules (1) have an effect on the targeted behaviors and (2) predict other, frequently co-occurring,
risk behaviors (i.e., cannabis use and early sexual intercourse). These hypotheses were tested in a nationally representative
sample of 12- to 16-year-old adolescents in the Netherlands. We found that both types of rules were associated with a lower
prevalence of the targeted behaviors (i.e., smoking and drinking). In addition, independent of adolescent smoking and drinking
behaviors, parental rules on smoking predicted a lower prevalence of cannabis use and early sexual intercourse, and parental
rules on alcohol use also predicted a lower prevalence of early sexual intercourse. This study showed that concrete parental
rule setting is more strongly related to lower levels of risk behaviors in adolescents compared to the more general parenting
practices (i.e., support and control). Additionally, the effects of such rules do not only apply to the targeted behavior
but extend to related behaviors as well. These findings are relevant to the public health domain and suggest that a single
intervention program that addresses a limited number of concrete parenting practices, in combination with traditional support
and control practices, may be effective in reducing risk behaviors in adolescence.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11121-012-0286-1
- Authors
- Margaretha de Looze, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Regina van den Eijnden, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Jacqueline Verdurmen, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Evelien Vermeulen-Smit, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Ingrid Schulten, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, PO Box 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Wilma Vollebergh, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Tom ter Bogt, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Journal Prevention Science
- Online ISSN 1573-6695
- Print ISSN 1389-4986