Parenting styles and substance use during childhood and adolescence

Parent-youth sentiment and power vary markedly among four continuous groups of 443 drug-using/drug-abstaining youngsters, ages 9-17. A stepwise multiple regression selected the following explanatory variables for a partial model of substance use: age, positive father sentiment, number of parentally defined conduct norms, and dependence on mother's advice and counsel. Consistent with a growing body of research derived from social learning theory, the findings show that prosocial behaviors are enhanced when behavioral expectations are clearly specified and reinforced with praise, encouragement, and other positive rewards.