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Parental supervision may lower a child's risk of alcoholism

By Staff Writer

Children whose behaviors are monitored by their parents, especially those of the opposite gender, are less likely to act impulsively when it comes to alcohol use and risky behavior, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

The researchers originally sought to discover which parenting styles were most effective in preventing adolescent substance abuse. More than 500 students from Missouri University classified their caregivers based on whether they were authoritarian, authoritative or permissive.

The investigators hypothesized that the children of authoritarian parents would be less likely to struggle with impulse control and alcohol use because their mothers and fathers strongly emphasized rules and obedience.

However, the trend of mother-son and father-daughter supervision was found to be the most effective prevention strategy, regardless of which parenting technique the adults utilized.

According to statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, more than 65 percent of teens who regularly drink alcohol also use illicit drugs.

To help avoid adolescent drug and alcohol dependency, parents of children who exhibit these behavioral issues may consider enrolling their teens in boarding schools for troubled youth.

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