Recent Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking Based on Authoritative Parenting Among Hispanic Youth Nationwide

Parenting styles influence youth’s overall well-being and behaviors. Few studies have examined the effects of parenting styles on alcohol use among Hispanic youth. Although the field of alcohol prevention has made progress in recent years, most prevention initiatives lack the capability to directly address the special needs of this high-risk population. The primary aim of our study was to examine the relationship of recent alcohol use, binge drinking (past 30 days) and authoritative parenting among Hispanic youth. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data in the present study. All Hispanic participants from 12 to 17 years of age (N = 3,457) completed the valid and reliable survey in the privacy of their own homes. The university-based Institutional Review Board granted approval to conduct this study. A total of 13.8 % of Hispanic youth reported recent alcohol use, and 8.0 % of these participants reported binge drinking. Hispanic youth who reported having low authoritative parenting was at significantly increased odds for reporting both recent alcohol use and binge drinking. Specifically, Hispanic youth with low authoritative parenting that were at increased risk for reporting alcohol use included males, females, the age group 14–15 years, and the age group 16–17 years compared to their counterparts with high authoritative parenting. Results from our study can be used to assist prevention specialists in more thoroughly understanding the protective influence authoritative parenting has on Hispanic youth involvement in alcohol use.