Hostile-Coercive Parenting, Adolescent Deviant Behavior, Affiliation with Peers Who Drink, and Adolescent Alcohol Use

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationships of parent-adolescent relational quality, adolescent behavior, and peer affiliation, and their relative contributions to adolescent alcohol use. It was hypothesized that adolescents with hostile-coercive relationships with their parents are more likely to use alcohol, associate with peers who drink, and engage in deviant behaviors. In addition, adolescents who associate with peer who drink are more likely to use alcohol. Adolescents who report deviant behavior are more likely to associate with peers who drink and use alcohol. Several mediational relationships were investigated. Specifically, it was hypothesized that the relationship between parent-adolescent relational quality and alcohol use is mediated by adolescent deviant behavior. Peer association also was expected to mediate the relationship between parent-adolescent relational quality and alcohol use. Finally, it was predicted that the relationship between parent-adolescent relational quality and peer association is mediated by adolescent deviant behavior. Participants were 206 early adolescent boys ranging in age from 12 to 15 and recruited from two public schools within the greater Los Angeles area. Eighty-nine fathers and 105 mothers also participated in the study. Participants completed several questionnaires regarding parent-adolescent relational quality and adolescent deviant behavior. Analyses revealed significant correlations between relational quality, adolescent deviant behavior, peer affiliation and adolescent alcohol use. Through multiple regression analyses, evidence was found to support the prediction that peer affiliation and adolescent deviant behavior mediates the relationship between parent-adolescent relational quality and adolescent alcohol use. Supplemental analyses suggested that parent monitoring mediates the relationship between parent-adolescent relational quality and peer affiliation, as well as parent-adolescent relational quality and adolescent alcohol use. Findings were discussed with respect to clinical implications, limitations, and implications for future research.