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Article
Alcohol Use and Harm to Children by Parents and Other Adults
Child Maltreatment
  • Bridget Freisthler, The Ohio State University
  • Jennifer Price Wolf, California State University, Sacramento
  • Ashleigh I. Hodge, The Ohio State University
  • Yiwen Cao, University of California, San Diego
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1177/1077559519878514
Abstract

This study used mixed methods to examine parent-reported harm to children (lack of supervision or physical harm) due to alcohol use by themselves or someone else as well as parent beliefs about alcohol, parenting, and harms to children. We conducted a cross-sectional general population survey of 1,599 parents who were primary caregivers to a child aged 10 or younger and follow-up interviews with 23 parents who responded “yes” to one of the questions about alcohol use causing harm their child. Survey data were analyzed using multilevel logistic models. Compared to abstainers, parents who drank at least once a year were less likely to report that someone else’s drinking caused a lack of supervision or physical harm to their child. Higher continued volumes of drinking were related to fewer reports of not watching a child closely enough. Social companionship support (having people to go out with) was related to greater odds that a parent’s drinking would cause physical harm to his or her child(ren). In the qualitative analysis, four relevant themes emerged: perceived effects of alcohol use, tangible support and child supervision, immediate and distal harm, and turning points in drinking behaviors.

Funding Number
P60AA006282
Funding Sponsor
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Keywords
  • abusive parents,
  • child maltreatment,
  • multilevel models,
  • neglect,
  • qualitative research,
  • substance abuse
Citation Information
Bridget Freisthler, Jennifer Price Wolf, Ashleigh I. Hodge and Yiwen Cao. "Alcohol Use and Harm to Children by Parents and Other Adults" Child Maltreatment Vol. 25 Iss. 3 (2020) p. 277 - 288
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jennifer-wolf/14/