Pelham WE III, et al. How Does Parental Monitoring Reduce Adolescent Substance Use? Preliminary Tests of Two Potential Mechanisms. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 85(3), 389–394 (2024).

https://www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.15288/jsad.23-00297

“A total of 4,503 teens ages 11–15 years old in 21 communities across the United States completed a survey reporting on parents’ monitoring/knowledge and teens’ substance use.

Authors found no support for M1: Parents with greater parental monitoring were not more likely to be aware when the teen had used substances (odds ratios = 0.79–0.93, ps = .34–.85), so they could not have increased the rate of punishment.

We found support for M2: When asked directly, teens identified instances in which they planned to or had a chance to use substances but did not because their parents got in the way or would have found out (p < .01). Had all those opportunities for substance use occurred rather than been averted by parents, the prevalence of substance use in the sample would have been 1.4 times higher.

In this community-based sample of teens, we failed to support prior punishment-centric theories of how monitoring might reduce teen substance use. Rather, monitoring may directly discourage teens from using substances regardless of whether it increases parents’ awareness of substance use or results in more punishment. Replication in other samples and contexts is needed.

Note: Parent monitoring can be done as a matter of frank precaution to prevent adolescent involvement in drug use. When frank communication is an assurance of care rather than a threat of punishment, it can have a positive effect. This study illustrates this reality, and it applies to multiple drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. Stephen Hamann

TRC Research Commentary

New Book in Thai on E-cigarette ethics, economics, and politics available

Tungthangthum S. Ethics, Economics, and Politics of E-Cigarettes. Bangkok: Thailand Health Promotion Institute, National Health Foundation. 2568

https://trc.or.th/ebook/thpi/Economics-Politics-Cigarettes.pdf

Comment: This is a valuable contribution to an understanding of the complexity of E-cigarette policy in Thailand. Stephen Hamann