TY - JOUR
T1 - Association of parents' alcohol use and family interaction with the initiation of alcohol use by sixth graders
T2 - A preliminary study in Taiwan
AU - Hung, Chao Chia
AU - Yen, Lee Lan
AU - Wu, Wen Chi
N1 - Funding Information:
Data for this study was obtained from the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE) Project [33]. CABLE commenced in 2001 and is funded by the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan. The CABLE student sample was established by randomly selecting nine schools each in Taipei City and Hsinchu County. Data were collected on the behaviors of school children in the first grade (cohort 1) and fourth grade (cohort 2) of these schools as well as their parents. After obtaining informed consent, children and their parents filled out separate self completed questionnaires. The two study cohorts were both followed up annually. The student questionnaires were completed by a whole class group at a time during a single lesson. For the parent questionnaires, students took the questionnaires home and asked their mothers and fathers to complete them separately. After completion, parents were asked to place the questionnaires in a sealed envelope, after which the children took them back to school and handed them in to a teacher.
Funding Information:
This research had been supported partially by a grant from the College of Public Health, National Taiwan University – Enhancing Capabilities for Social and Behavioral Sciences Research. We would also like to thank the National Health Research Institutes funded Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE) project for providing data for this study.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Background. The family is the main environment where children are socialized and learn individual behavior. Although previous studies have examined predictors of preadolescent first alcohol use, few studies have analyzed factors associated with alcohol use in children in a country with low alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the initiation of alcohol use by sixth graders and determine family factors associated with first alcohol use. Methods. Data used in this study was collected as part of the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE) project in 2002 (when study participants were in grade 5 and aged 1011 years) and 2003 (when study participants were in grade 6 and aged 1112 years). Data from a total of 1,183 participants was analyzed. Main study variables included children's alcohol use: (1) never user (never user in 2002 and 2003), or (2) first-time user (never user in 2002 but ever user in 2003); parents' alcohol use: (1) both parents ever users, (2) mother ever user and father never user, (3) father ever user and mother never user, (4) both parents never users; parental support; and family conflict. Correlates of first alcohol use were identified using logistic regression. Results. There were 183 students (15.5%) who became first-time users of alcohol in the sixth grade. Having parents who both used alcohol, less parental support, and more family conflict were significant predictors of sixth graders' first alcohol use. Family interaction and parents' drinking were equally important predictors of preteen's first use of alcohol. Conclusion. Family factors influence children's initiation of alcohol use. It is important to educate parents about the effects of alcohol on children and to emphasize the importance of prevention.
AB - Background. The family is the main environment where children are socialized and learn individual behavior. Although previous studies have examined predictors of preadolescent first alcohol use, few studies have analyzed factors associated with alcohol use in children in a country with low alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate the initiation of alcohol use by sixth graders and determine family factors associated with first alcohol use. Methods. Data used in this study was collected as part of the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE) project in 2002 (when study participants were in grade 5 and aged 1011 years) and 2003 (when study participants were in grade 6 and aged 1112 years). Data from a total of 1,183 participants was analyzed. Main study variables included children's alcohol use: (1) never user (never user in 2002 and 2003), or (2) first-time user (never user in 2002 but ever user in 2003); parents' alcohol use: (1) both parents ever users, (2) mother ever user and father never user, (3) father ever user and mother never user, (4) both parents never users; parental support; and family conflict. Correlates of first alcohol use were identified using logistic regression. Results. There were 183 students (15.5%) who became first-time users of alcohol in the sixth grade. Having parents who both used alcohol, less parental support, and more family conflict were significant predictors of sixth graders' first alcohol use. Family interaction and parents' drinking were equally important predictors of preteen's first use of alcohol. Conclusion. Family factors influence children's initiation of alcohol use. It is important to educate parents about the effects of alcohol on children and to emphasize the importance of prevention.
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U2 - 10.1186/1471-2458-9-172
DO - 10.1186/1471-2458-9-172
M3 - Article
C2 - 19497107
AN - SCOPUS:68149175046
SN - 1471-2458
VL - 9
JO - BMC Public Health
JF - BMC Public Health
M1 - 172
ER -
