Gradient of association between parenting styles and patterns of drug use in adolescence: A latent class analysis

- A solution of 3 latent classes better explain the patterns of adolescent drug use.
- Exists a gradient of association between parenting styles and adolescent drug use.
- The adolescents of negligent parents were more likely to be in drug use classes.
- Activities to reduce parental negligent should be included in drug prevention.

BackgroundTo identify different patterns of drug use in adolescence and determine if these are associated with parenting styles and other sociodemographic factors.MethodsA latent class analysis was conducted using baseline data collected in a sample (n = 6381) from a randomized controlled trial conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the #Tamojunto drug-use prevention program, carried out with 7th- and 8th-grade public school students in six Brazilian cities.ResultsThree latent classes were identified among the students: 1) abstainers/low users (81.54%), 2) alcohol users/binge drinkers (16.65%), and 3) polydrug users (1.80%). A gradient of inverse association was found between parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, and indulgent, with the neglectful style as a reference point) and the classes “alcohol users/binge drinkers” (aOR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.27-0.47; aOR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.43-0.72; and aOR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.51-0.80, respectively) and “polydrug users” (aOR = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.03-0.24; aOR = 0.23, 95%CI = 0.11-0.52; and aOR = 0.24, 95%CI = 0.08-0.74, respectively). Associations were also revealed between the latent classes and the adolescent's age and socioeconomic status.ConclusionThe results suggest that activities to develop parenting skills should be included in school programs aimed at the prevention of drug use among adolescents in order to reduce neglectful practices and thereby possibly reduce drug use among the children.