Julia A. Watkins, PhD, Elissa M Howard-Barr, PhD, Michele J. Moore, PhD, and Chudley (Chad) Werch, PhD. Center for Research on Substance Abuse, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224, 904-620-1468, jwatkins@unf.edu

As the prevalence of alcohol use among teenagers continues to be a serious public health issue, certain parenting practices have proven beneficial in reducing teen alcohol use. This study examined the association between adolescents’ reports of parental communication behaviors and their self-efficacy to resist alcohol use. It was hypothesized that (a) increased general communication among parents and teens, (b) communication about alcohol use among parents and teens, (c) a positive relationship between parents and teens, and (d) parental monitoring would be associated with and increase in confidence to resist using alcohol. In addition, (e) higher self-efficacy regarding alcohol use would be associated with lower frequency of alcohol use. Baseline data collected fall 2002 from a sample (n=604) of high school youth involved in an ongoing federally funded alcohol intervention study were used. Over half of participants were female (56%) and white (51%), with a mean age of 15.24 years. A standardized instrument was used to collect data on alcohol consumption and theoretically-based risk/protective factors for alcohol use. Participants were categorized in low and high self-efficacy groups. Chi-Squares and t-tests determined group differences on demographics, parent communication behaviors, and alcohol use measures. Higher self-efficacy was significantly associated with greater parental bonding (p=.02), communication (p=.15), parental monitoring (p=.00), and positive relationship (p=.00). Additionally, higher self-efficacy was significantly associated (p=.00) with less frequency of alcohol use within the past 30 days. Parental influence may serve as a protective factor in increasing self-efficacy to resist alcohol. Additional conclusions and implications will be discussed.

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