THE INFLUENCE OF PARENT, SIBLING, AND PEER MODELING AND ATTITUDES ON ADOLESCENT USE OF ALCOHOL

This 1-year prospective study of 173 families with two or more childre n examines the influence of parent, sibling, and peer modeling (i.e., use) and attitudes on adolescent use of alcohol. Independent questionn aire data were obtained from the adolescent, father, mother, and sibli ng(s). Structural equation modeling methods were employed to examine t hese relationships. Parent attitude toward youth alcohol use and paren t modeling of alcohol use were strongly related to change in adolescen t alcohol use, suggesting that parents can influence the future use of alcohol by their children. Peer and sibling modeling and peer attitud es also influenced adolescent alcohol use.