NCJ Number
233632
Date Published
May 2009
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) regarding how surveyed youth perceived parental disapproval of substance use and parental involvement in their daily activities.
Abstract
The survey found that in 2007 most youths age 12-17 believed that their parents would strongly disapprove of their having one or two drinks of an alcoholic beverage nearly every day (89.6 percent), smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day (92.1 percent), and using marijuana or hashish once a month or more (93.3 percent). The majority of youths reported that their parents were involved in their daily activities; e.g., 86.2 percent indicated their parents always or sometimes let them know when they had done a good job, and 80.9 percent of those who were in school said their parents always or sometimes helped them with homework. Youths' perceptions of parental disapproval of their substance use and parental involvement in youths' daily activities generally decreased with age. Research has shown that parents are an integral and effective part of substance-use prevention, and it is encouraging that this report shows that most parents clearly express their disapproval of youth substance use and are actively involved in the activities of their children; however, survey data also indicate that perceived parental disapproval of substance use and parental involvement in their children's lives tends to diminish as youth become older. 5 figures and 4 notes