Parental Supply of Alcohol and Alcohol Consumption in Adolescence: Prospective Cohort Study
Abstract
Background
Parents are a major supplier of alcohol to adolescents, yet there is limited research examining the impact of this on adolescent alcohol use. This study investigates associations between parental supply of alcohol, supply from other sources, and adolescent alcohol use, adjusting for child, parent, family and peer variables.
Method
A cohort of 1927 adolescents was surveyed annually from 2010 to 2014. Measures include: consumption of whole alcoholic drinks; binge alcohol use (>4 standard units of alcohol on any occasion); parental supply of alcohol; supply from other sources; child, parent, family and peer covariates.
Results
After adjustment, adolescents supplied alcohol by parents had higher odds of consuming whole beverages [odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–2.45] than those not supplied by parents. However, parental supply was not associated with bingeing, and those supplied alcohol by parents typically consumed fewer units per occasion (incidence rate ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.96) than adolescents supplied only from other sources. Adolescents obtaining alcohol from non-parental sources had increased odds of consuming whole beverages (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.86–3.45) and bingeing (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.53–4.87).
Conclusions
Parental supply of alcohol to adolescents was associated with increased risk of alcohol use, but not bingeing. These parentally-supplied children also consumed fewer units on a typical alcohol use occasion. Adolescents supplied alcohol from non-parental sources had greater odds of alcohol use and bingeing. Further follow-up is necessary to determine whether these patterns continue, and to examine alcohol-related harm trajectories. Parents should be advised that supply of alcohol may increase children’s alcohol use.
