Harm-reduction and zero-tolerance maternal messages about college alcohol use. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Napper, Lucy E.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 89(2019)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Parent communication -- College -- Alcohol -- Zero tolerance -- Harm reduction; 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.2018.09.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Past cross-sectional research suggests that zero-tolerance messaging by parents of college students may be more effective than harm-reduction communication at reducing student alcohol risk. The current study employs longitudinal data to examine whether communication type interacts with student alcohol use to predict subsequent drinking outcomes. U.S. college students reported on their own exposure to zero-tolerance and harm-reduction maternal communication. Approximately seven months later, students completed measures of maternal alcohol approval and their own alcohol behaviors. The relationship between communication and subsequent alcohol behaviors depended on students' baseline drinking. For heavy drinkers, harm-reduction communication was associated with less alcohol use and consequences. For those who drank less than two drinks a week, zero-tolerance communication was associated with fewer negative consequences. Zero-tolerance communication was associated with perceiving mothers as less approving, while harm reduction communication was associated with perceiving mothers as more approving. There were indirect effects of communication on drinking through perceived maternal approval. While overall harm-reduction communication may lead students to perceive mothers as more approving of alcohol use, there may be contexts in which this type of communication is beneficial. Highlights: Mothers providing harm-reduction messages are perceived as approving of drinking. For heavy drinkers, harm-reduction messages are related to less risky drinking. For light drinkers, zero-tolerance messages are related to less risky drinking.