Doctoral dissertation (article) (G5)

Responsibilities related to adolescents’ use of alcohol – Perspectives of adolescents and parents




List of AuthorsMynttinen Mari

PublisherUniversity of Turku

PlaceTurku

Publication year2023

ISBN978-951-29-9190-7

eISBN978-951-29-9191-4

URLhttps://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-29-9191-4


Abstract

This study describes responsibilities related to adolescents’ use of alcohol from adolescents’ and parents’ perspectives. The aim was to produce knowledge to support adolescents in growing up and taking responsibility, and to strengthen parents’ capabilities related to the questions of adolescents’ use of alcohol. Knowledge of the responsibilities can help adolescents to make more responsible health choices at home and in preventive healthcare.

The study consisted of two parts and used a multi-methods approach. In the first part, an integrative review of the previous literature (n = 22) was conducted to explore the forms of parental involvement in preventing adolescents’ use of alcohol. The data was analysed using inductive content analysis method. In the second part, adolescents’ and parents’ perceptions and experiences of responsibilities related to adolescents’ use of alcohol were described. The two datasets used were group interviews among 14–16-year-old adolescents (n = 87), and semi-structured individual and couple interviews with parents (n = 20). The first sub-study focused on adolescents’ and the second sub-study on parents’ perspectives. Inductive content analysis was used. The third sub-study was a deductive secondary analysis, based on Hart’s taxonomy of moral responsibility. The analysis utilized NVivo software.

Based on the integrative review findings, parental involvement in adolescents’ use of alcohol was described in three forms: parental monitoring, suitable family rules, and mutual parent-child communication. The second part of the study displayed adolescents’ multifaceted and developing responsibilities, with a particular focus on taking care of one’s own and peers’ health. Parents’ responsibilities referred to conscious and unquestionable duties to prevent the negative impact of alcohol. According to adolescents’ and parents’ concurrent descriptions, moral responsibilities were based on reasonable knowledge and reflected actions and their consequences in accordance with their role and the prevailing legislation. A need for peer support and collaboration supporting both adolescents and their parents was detected.

In conclusion, it is noted that the responsibilities related to adolescents’ use of alcohol can be perceived as a topic shared by adolescents and their parents. In essence, shared responsibilities seem to protect adolescents against the use of alcohol and can prevent their use of alcohol as adolescents prepare for the transition towards taking full responsibility. There is a need for further research from the perspectives of school nurses, teachers and different family types.


Last updated on 2023-29-03 at 07:59