Parental monitoring key to preventing teenagers’ substance use

Teenagers Less Likely to Engage in Substance Use When Parents Monitor Their Activities, Study Finds

A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that teenagers are less likely to drink, smoke, or use drugs when their parents keep tabs on their activities. Contrary to common belief, the study found that parents’ “monitoring” does not necessarily boost the odds of catching their kids using substances. However, when kids are aware that their parents are monitoring their behavior, they are more likely to avoid trying alcohol or drugs in the first place.

The fear of being caught, rather than the fear of punishment, seems to be the driving factor behind this phenomenon.

Importance of Parental Monitoring in Preventing Substance Use

Previous studies have consistently shown that adolescents are less likely to use substances when they have parents who monitor their activities. This involves parents being aware of their kids’ activities, knowing their friends, and knowing their whereabouts when they are not at home. The assumption has been that monitoring works because parents are more likely to catch substance use and impose consequences such as grounding or taking away privileges. The idea is that these consequences would deter kids from making the same mistake again.

However, the lead researcher of the new study, William Pelham, an assistant adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, states that this assumption is incorrect. According to Pelham, the findings suggest that monitoring teenagers can reduce their chances of using alcohol or drugs simply by making them think twice, regardless of whether parents succeed in catching them.

Study Details and Results

The study collected survey responses from over 4,500 11- to 15-year-olds from 21 communities across the United States. Participants were asked about their substance use in the past month, including whether their parents found out about it. They also completed a standard questionnaire on parental monitoring, which assessed how often their parents knew their whereabouts or asked about their plans for the day.

Overall, 3.6% of kids reported using alcohol or drugs in the past month. The study found no evidence that parents’ monitoring increased the likelihood of discovering these instances of substance use.

However, the study did find that some kids had planned or had the opportunity to drink or use drugs in the past month but chose not to out of fear that their parents would find out. If not for these second thoughts, the study suggests that substance use would have been 40% higher in the overall study group.

Implications and Recommendations

Understanding why monitoring works is crucial in providing parents with specific advice on how to effectively monitor their children. These findings suggest that it may not be necessary for parents to catch their kids in the act of substance use. Simply knowing that their parents are keeping track of them might be enough to deter them from engaging in such behaviors.

However, it is important to note that these findings may not apply to older adolescents with more serious substance use issues. In those cases, negative consequences might become a more important tool in preventing substance use.

Overall, this study emphasizes the significant role that parents play in influencing their children’s substance use behaviors.

“Some parents think drinking or using drugs is something that kids are just going to do, no matter what. But that’s not true. Parents can make a difference.”

– William Pelham, assistant adjunct professor of psychiatry, University of California, San Diego

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
• SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles
• SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, some potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include:

• Percentage of teenagers who report using alcohol or drugs in the past month
• Percentage of teenagers who are aware of their parents’ monitoring
• Percentage of teenagers who choose not to use alcohol or drugs out of fear of being caught by their parents

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: news-medical.net

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.