Parents' concordant and discordant alcohol use and subsequent child behavioral outcomes. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Godleski, Stephanie A.; Crane, Cory A.; Leonard, Kenneth E.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 79(2018)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 85
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Alcohol problems -- Drinking patterns -- Couples -- Behavioral problems; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.11.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Alcohol problems have variable outcomes for marital relationships depending on whether drinking patterns are concordant or discordant among the members of the dyad; however, it is unclear what impact these variations in drinking patterns have on children. The current study was designed to explore several gaps and limitations in the parent heavy drinking literature. In particular, the prospective associations over 3 years between parent heavy drinking, parenting, and child externalizing behavior were investigated in an integrated model to examine the influence of concordant and discordant drinking within couples on subsequent outcomes for their children. The study consisted of 180 couples recruited by mailings with children primarily between the ages of 4 and 11 years old (52% male children). Parent-report of marital conflict, parenting, alcohol use, and child externalizing behavior were measured in a longitudinal study. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model analyses were conducted. Higher levels of maladaptive parenting were associated with higher externalizing for children of concordant drinking couples as opposed to discordant drinking couples. Implications for research and practice are discussed, including investigating mediators and moderators of the current findings such as quality of the parent-child relationship. Highlights: The impact of couple's pattern of drinking on their children's behavior was examined. Harsh parenting was associated with higher levels of child externalizing problems. Parenting and externalizing problems were associated for concordant drinking couples.