Health Sciences

School of Public Health

Health and Environment (Bendigo) - Research Profile

Comprising environmental health, health science programs, and public and community health programs.

The attitudes, knowledge and practice of parents in relation to teenagers and alcohol: A metropolitan study

Researchers: Bernadette Ward; Dr Pamela Snow; Melissa Graham; Geoff Munro; and Cameron Duff

Research Partners: Community Alcohol Action Network, Australian Drug Foundation; and
School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University

Funding: Transport Accident Commission

Research Summary

Alcohol is the most popular recreational drug in Australia. Despite the fact that many people gain enjoyment from alcohol related industries, alcohol is also implicated in much personal trauma and social damage. Parents play a key role in influencing alcohol use and driver behaviour in young people. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the attitudes and concerns of parents in Melbourne in relation to their teenage children's use of alcohol and how they educate and/or provide role models for their adolescents with respect to alcohol usage. A convenience sample of parents with adolescent children participated in focus groups. Parents described patterns of alcohol use and perceived influences on consumption. They reported that they wanted to create safe environments for adolescents to consume alcohol but that they needed more support and information on which to base these decisions. There is an opportunity for public health policy makers to specifically address parents and enhance their role in alcohol related road safety.

Status of project: Completed in 2005

Research Outcomes:

Ward, B., Graham, M. Snow, P., Munro, G., Parents, teenagers and alcohol. 36th National Conference, Public Health Association of Australia. Perth, September, 2005

Australasian College of Road Safety (publication in press)

Ward, B., Snow, P., Graham, M., Munro, G., & Dickson-Swift, V. (2005). "It starts with the parents and ends with the parents": The attitudes, knowledge and practices of parents in relation to teenage alcohol use: A metropolitan study. (unpublished report)

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