A social learning perspective: A model of parenting styles, self-regulation, perceived drinking control, and alcohol use and problems

Background: This investigation sought to determine how different parenting styles are related to general self-regulatory processes that are linked to alcohol use and abuse. Self-regulation and, more specifically, thoughts of control over drinking are forms of positive self-control mechanisms. Parent ing styles are known determinants of both negative and positive self-contro l mechanisms in offspring. According to social learning theory, stronger re lationships between parenting style and self-regulatory processes would be expected from the parent who is the same sex as the respondent. Methods: A total of 144 female and 107 male college students currently usin g alcohol were administered a questionnaire on their alcohol use and proble ms, perceived style of parenting (authoritarian, permissive, or authoritati ve) of their parents, self-regulation, and perceived control of drinking. A model linking parenting styles, self-regulatory processes, and control ove r drinking with alcohol use and alcohol problems was tested across sex grou ps by using structural equation modeling. Results: In general, the parenting style of the parent of the same sex as t he respondent's was found to be significantly related to self-regulation, w hich is known to be protective against alcohol use and abuse. A permissive parent of the same sex as the respondent was negatively associated with goo d self-regulatory processes for both men and women. Having an authoritative mother was also shown to be related to higher levels of self-regulation fo r women. Conclusions: Self-regulation mediated the pathway from a permissive parenti ng style to perceived drinking control, which, in turn, mediated the pathwa y from self-regulation to alcohol use and problems. Finally, self-regulatio n mediated the positive pathway from an authoritative mother to perceived c ontrol over drinking for women.