The role of families in preventing alcohol-related harm among young people
From PhilanthropyWiki
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This paper is intended for professionals who work with families. It provides an overview of research into the ways in which families (especially parents) can influence adolescent alcohol use and prevent alcohol-related harm.
The paper's findings include:
- Misuse of alcohol in adolescence is linked to increased risk of alcohol dependence and other social and health inequalities in adulthood
- Drinking habits in adolescence are predictive of regular drinking in later life
- Parents who role model low-risk alcohol use, and delay the onset of their children's drinking, reduce the likelihood of alcohol misuse by their children
- Health professionals, educators and communtiy service organisations have an important role in supporting families and carers concerned by these issues via provision of resources, guidance and appropriate referrals
The paper includes information about priority areas and resources for families which the authors suggest can be incorporated into professional best practice.
Prepared by Bernadette Ward and Pamela Snow of the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University.