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Poster #154 - The Influence of Perceived Parenting on Substance Initiation among Latinx Children

Sat, March 23, 9:45 to 11:00am, Baltimore Convention Center, Floor: Level 1, Exhibit Hall B

Integrative Statement

Parents have the ability to shape child outcomes, especially in early childhood. Substance use initiation and maintenance are risk factors for negative outcomes for children (King & Chassin, 2007). The younger children are when they initiate substance use, the more marked the negative outcomes (Atherton, Conger, Ferrer, & Robins, 2015; Paiva, Amoyal, Johnson, & Prochaska, 2014). Understanding the relevance of family factors in children’s substance use initiation intentions and behaviors can help program developers prioritize prevention and early intervention program content. The present study sought to uncover important parenting factors that may be amenable to intervention at a critical developmental juncture (i.e., 5th, 6th grade) among Latinx children in Mexico.

Data for the present study utilized a representative sample of Mexican children (n = 52,171; 5th and 6th grades) who participated in a national survey on substance use (Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Drogas en Estudiantes; ENCODE). Children reported their demographics (i.e., age, grade, gender), caregivers parenting (i.e., monitoring, skills building, involvement), illicit substance use (i.e., father, mother; substances other than alcohol/tobacco), and communication regarding substance use. Children self reported lifetime substance use (see table 1), and intentions to initiate in first time use (see table 2).

Data was analyzed using independent binary logistic regression models for substance use and intention outcomes (See tables 1-2 for model statistics, odds ratios [ORs], and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]). Demographic variables were covaried to control for age (i.e., grade), gender (i.e., boy or girl), and whether children were the developmentally appropriate age for their grade (i.e., 5th = ages 10-11 and 6th = ages 11-12). Demographic factors were associated with the majority of substance use and intentions indicators, suggesting that parenting factors do not fully account for age and gender differences in substance initiation among Latinx children. Child reported parental (i.e., mother or father) illicit substance use was associated with the largest increases in risk for reporting lifetime use of all substances examined. Lower levels of parental monitoring and involvement were also predictive of lifetime use and use intentions across substances. Skills building was specifically associated with lifetime use and intentions for tobacco and other substance use. Parent-child substance specific communication was not significantly related to child reported lifetime use or use intentions, with the exception of lifetime inhalant use.

Few studies have examined predictors of substance use and intentions during childhood. The current study provided a unique opportunity to learn more about parenting factors associated with Latinx substance initiation within a robust sample. Findings suggest that targeted prevention efforts may be needed for Latinx children exposed to parental illicit substance use, as they may be especially at risk for early substance initiation. Substance use prevention efforts targeting Latinx populations may benefit from promoting parenting skills such as involvement and monitoring during childhood. Incorporating skills building into parent training programs targeting the prevention of tobacco and other substances may also be beneficial. Further research is needed to replicate these findings among Latinx children residing in the United States. Clinical and research implications will be discussed.

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