Kimberly M Nelson1,2, Kate B Carey3, Lori A J Scott-Sheldon4,5,3, Tanya L Eckert6, Aesoon Park6, Peter A Vanable6, Craig K Ewart6, Michael P Carey4,5,3. 1. Centers for Behavioral and Preventative Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309 164 Summit Ave, Providence, RI, 02906, USA. kimberly_nelson_1@brown.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. kimberly_nelson_1@brown.edu. 3. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. 4. Centers for Behavioral and Preventative Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309 164 Summit Ave, Providence, RI, 02906, USA. 5. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. 6. Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research regarding the role of gender in relations between family characteristics and health risk behaviors has been limited. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate gender differences in associations between family processes and risk-taking in adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 249; mean age = 14.5 years) starting their first year at an urban high school in the northeastern USA completed self-report measures that assessed family characteristics (i.e., parental monitoring, family social support, family conflict) and health behaviors (i.e., tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, sex initiation) as part of a prospective, community-based study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate gender differences in associations between the family characteristics and health behaviors. RESULTS: Among males, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with lower odds of using tobacco and having ever engaged in sex. Among females, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with lower odds of marijuana use, alcohol use, and having ever engaged in sex. However, in contrast to males, among females (a) higher levels of perceived family social support were associated with lower odds of alcohol use and having ever engaged in sex and (b) higher levels of perceived family conflict were associated with higher odds of marijuana use and having ever engaged in sex. CONCLUSION: Family processes were more strongly related to health behaviors among adolescent females than adolescent males. Interventions that increase parental monitoring and family social support as well as decrease family conflict may help to protect against adolescent risk taking, especially for females.
BACKGROUND: Research regarding the role of gender in relations between family characteristics and health risk behaviors has been limited. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate gender differences in associations between family processes and risk-taking in adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents (N = 249; mean age = 14.5 years) starting their first year at an urban high school in the northeastern USA completed self-report measures that assessed family characteristics (i.e., parental monitoring, family social support, family conflict) and health behaviors (i.e., tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, sex initiation) as part of a prospective, community-based study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate gender differences in associations between the family characteristics and health behaviors. RESULTS: Among males, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with lower odds of using tobacco and having ever engaged in sex. Among females, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with lower odds of marijuana use, alcohol use, and having ever engaged in sex. However, in contrast to males, among females (a) higher levels of perceived family social support were associated with lower odds of alcohol use and having ever engaged in sex and (b) higher levels of perceived family conflict were associated with higher odds of marijuana use and having ever engaged in sex. CONCLUSION: Family processes were more strongly related to health behaviors among adolescent females than adolescent males. Interventions that increase parental monitoring and family social support as well as decrease family conflict may help to protect against adolescent risk taking, especially for females.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent; Family conflict; Gender; Parental monitoring; Risk-taking; Social support
Authors: James R Mahalik; Rebekah Levine Coley; Caitlin McPherran Lombardi; Alicia Doyle Lynch; Anna J Markowitz; Sara R Jaffee Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2013-03-11 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Robert J Wellman; Erika N Dugas; Hartley Dutczak; Erin K O'Loughlin; Geetanjali D Datta; Béatrice Lauzon; Jennifer O'Loughlin Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2016-05-11 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Kathleen M Roche; Rebecca M B White; Sharon F Lambert; John Schulenberg; Esther J Calzada; Gabriel P Kuperminc; Todd D Little Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2020-05-01 Impact factor: 16.193
Authors: Laurie J Bauman; Dana Watnick; Ellen Johnson Silver; Angelic Rivera; Jamie Heather Sclafane; Caryn R R Rodgers; Cheng-Shiun Leu Journal: Prev Sci Date: 2021-02-19