The relation of parental practices and self-conceptions to young adolescent problem behaviors and substance use

Parental child rearing practices during preadolescence and early adolescence are critical in fostering socially competent behaviour among children and in preventing involvement in risky behaviour. The aim of the present research was to examine the role of parenting practices in young adolescent psychosocial adjustment and self-regulation problems. The sample included 287 sixth and seventh-grade subjects from intact families. The participants completed questionnaires that measured variables including family interaction, parental involvement in children's activities, parental support, joint decision making and monitoring of children's behaviour. Children's involvement in after school activities, engagement in problem behaviours, nicotine and alcohol use, as well as self-conceptions regarding scholastic competence, social acceptance and behavioural conduct were also measured. Boys exhibited problem behaviours more frequently and consumed alcohol more than girls, while older subjects reported more frequent nicotine use. Parental practices such as support, involvement and monitoring of children's day-to-day activities were significantly negatively related to children's engagement in problem behaviours and substance use. Parental child-rearing practices were also related to children's self-conceptions. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted with problem behaviours, alcohol and nicotine use as criterion variables and sociodemographic, parenting practices, children's activities and self-conception variables as predictors. The findings indicated that the most important predictors of young girls' and boys' behavioural problems and substance use were self-conceptions of negative behavioural conduct and lower parental monitoring of children's activities. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.