Lifestage Issues Effect of Parental Drinking on Adolescents

M biological, psychological, and social changes characterize the phase in the life span known as adolescence. These changes include the onset of puberty, an increased self­identity, the initia­ tion of dating, and the development of intimate relation­ ships. Early theories of adolescent development described this period as one of “storm and stress” with regard to parent­child relations (see, for example, Douvan and Adelson 1966). More recent research has indicated that adolescents confront a host of challenging and sometimes unique events. Although they frequently prefer to handle these challenges on their own, adolescents often view parents as significant confidants and social support agents in times of crises (see Petersen 1988). Hence, although parents and adolescents may disagree over specific issues, such as curfew or amount of allowance, parents continue to play a salient role in the development of adolescents, just as they do with infants and young children. Problem drinking1 by parents, however, may disrupt this emerging pattern of parent­adolescent relations and adversely affect adolescent development and adjustment in several ways. The following sections describe how parents’ alcohol­ related problems may influence adolescent development.