Sarah N. Sylvia, MS¹, Elizabeth M. Gaier Larkin, MS¹, and Scott, H. Frank, MD, MPH². (1) Center for Adolescent Health, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Room WG-48, Cleveland, OH 44106, 216-368-5919, sns9@cwru.edu, (2) Division of Public Health, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., School of Medicine, WG-57, Cleveland, OH 44106

Purpose: To examine the influence of adolescent perceptions of their parent's attitudes toward substance use; their own substance use attitudes; and their current substance use. Methods: A sample of 1641 urban high school students completed a modified Youth Risk Behavior Survey which included items regarding perceived parental attitudes toward adolescent substance use; adolescent attitudes toward substance use; and alcohol and marijuana use, tobacco use, and hard drug use. The attitude toward adolescent substance use scale response set included four responses ranging from "very wrong," to "not wrong at all". Structural equation modeling was used to determine the fit of a risk behavior model. Results: The measurement component of the model had acceptable fit: χ²(202, N=1641)=3764.93, CFI=.95, TLI=.94, RMSEA=.10. Structural model analysis indicated adolescent attitudes were highly influenced by perceived parental attitudes (R²=0.48, p<0.001). Adolescent tobacco use and alcohol and marijuana use were heavily influenced by both perceived parental and adolescent attitudes. While adolescent attitudes were most highly correlated with substance use behaviors (ß_tob=.54; ß_alc/mari=.76, p<.001), perceived parental attitudes was also a significant predictor of substance use behaviors (ß_tob=.37; ß_alc/mari=.53, p<.001) through its influence on adolescent attitudes. In addition, hard drug use was directly related to adolescent tobacco and alcohol/ marijuana use (R²=0.22, p<0.001) and indirectly related to perceived parental (ß=.23) and adolescent attitudes (ß=.33). Conclusions: Effective communication of parental disapproval of substance use influences both adolescents attitudes and their engagement in substance use. Direct effects of parental attitudes on risk behaviors will also be examined.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the relationship between parental attitudes and adolescent attitudes.
• Participants will be able to describe the relationship between adolescent attitudes and substance use.
• Participants will be able to discuss the importance of parental communication on adolescent health.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.