Harsh parenting, deviant peers and adolescent risky behavior: understanding the meditational effect of adolescent attitudes and intentions

The current study examined mechanisms proposed to explain the roles of harsh parenting and association with deviant peers on adolescent involvement in tobacco, alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors. Prospective, longitudinal data came from youth who participated throughout adolescence (n= 451). Information regarding observed harsh parenting and adolescent\u27s relations with their peers was assessed in early adolescence (13 years), adolescent attitudes and intentions about risky behavior was assessed during middle adolescence (15 years), and engagement in risky behavior was assessed in late adolescence (18 years). Adolescent\u27s gender, parents\u27 education, parent tobacco and alcohol use and early adolescent\u27 involvement in risky behaviors were used as control variables. Both harsh parenting and involvement with deviant peers was directly related to adolescent engagement in tobacco use, alcohol use and sexual behavior. Also, adolescent attitudes and intentions mediated this relationship. That is, harsh parenting and involvement with deviant peers was no longer associated with risky behavior once attitudes and intentions about risky behaviors was added in the model. This was true even after parent substance use and adolescent early involvement in risky behaviors were taken into account

Harsh parenting, deviant peers and adolescent risky behavior: understanding the meditational effect of adolescent attitudes and intentions

The current study examined mechanisms proposed to explain the roles of harsh parenting and association with deviant peers on adolescent involvement in tobacco, alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors. Prospective, longitudinal data came from youth who participated throughout adolescence (n= 451). Information regarding observed harsh parenting and adolescent's relations with their peers was assessed in early adolescence (13 years), adolescent attitudes and intentions about risky behavior was assessed during middle adolescence (15 years), and engagement in risky behavior was assessed in late adolescence (18 years). Adolescent's gender, parents' education, parent tobacco and alcohol use and early adolescent' involvement in risky behaviors were used as control variables. Both harsh parenting and involvement with deviant peers was directly related to adolescent engagement in tobacco use, alcohol use and sexual behavior. Also, adolescent attitudes and intentions mediated this relationship. That is, harsh parenting and involvement with deviant peers was no longer associated with risky behavior once attitudes and intentions about risky behaviors was added in the model. This was true even after parent substance use and adolescent early involvement in risky behaviors were taken into account.</p

Harsh Parenting, Deviant Peers, Adolescent Risky Behavior: Understanding the Meditational Effect of Attitudes and Intentions

Although research supports the influence of parents and peers on adolescent risky behavior, less is known about mechanisms proposed to explain this relation. This study examined the influence of adolescent attitudes and intentions about such behaviors. Prospective, longitudinal data came from rural youth who participated throughout adolescence (n = 451). Observed harsh parenting and relationship with deviant peers was assessed in early adolescence, attitudes and intentions were measured during middle adolescence, and risky behavior was assessed in late adolescence. Results indicated that parenting and deviant peers was related to engagement in tobacco use, alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors. Moreover, attitudes and intentions mediated this relationship even after parent use and adolescent early involvement in these behaviors were taken into account.This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Neppl, T. K., Dhalewadikar, J. and Lohman, B. J. (2016), Harsh Parenting, Deviant Peers, Adolescent Risky Behavior: Understanding the Meditational Effect of Attitudes and Intentions. J Res Adolesc, 26: 538–551, which has been published in final form at doi: 10.1111/jora.12212. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.</p