Fathers’ Alcohol Problems and Parenting Behaviors with Adolescents

Abstract

Fathers' excessive alcohol usage can cause problems in a family. Fathers’ alcohol problems are also associated with higher depression and antisocial behavior, that may both have negative associations with family processes. This research paper examined the association between fathers’ alcohol problems and associated risks (depression, antisocial behavior) and fathers’ parenting behavior during father-adolescent interactions. We hypothesized that a father's alcohol problem may increase the risk of fathers’ harshness and insensitivity during father-adolescent interactions. The sample consisted of 227 families (51% female children recruited as infants) through New York State birth records. Families were assessed at periodic intervals between infancy and late adolescence. Fathers reported their alcohol problems and depression at all time points and father-adolescent interactions were observed and coded in early adolescence. These measures were used in the current research project. Results suggested that fathers' alcohol problems were not significantly correlated with father harshness and sensitivity. Also, father alcohol group status was not significantly correlated with father harshness and father sensitivity. However, we did find that both father alcohol problems and father sensitive parenting during a laboratory task were associated with fathers’ antisocial behavior. Together, these results suggest that paternal alcohol problems measured in infancy were not directly associated with fathers’ parenting behavior during laboratory-based discussion tasks in adolescence but may be indirectly related via paternal antisocial behavior.

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Barthelemy