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Parental Knowledge and Youth Risky Behavior: A Person Oriented Approach

  • Empirical Research
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Abstract

Most studies isolate the effects of one knowledge-related behavior on youth outcomes. This study explores the relationship between subgroups of mother–youth dyads that use specific combinations of parental knowledge-related behaviors and youth risky behavior. Using a sample of 796 rural 6th graders (53 % female), we assessed mother and youth reports of maternal knowledge, active parent monitoring efforts, youth disclosure, parental supervision, and the amount of parent–youth communication to identify five knowledge latent classes: High-Monitors, Maternal Over-Estimators, Low-Monitors, Communication-Focused, and Supervision-Focused. Delinquency, antisocial peers, and substance use were associated with increased odds of membership in the Supervision-Focused class, relative to the High Monitors. Membership in the Low Monitors and Maternal Over-Estimators classes was associated with unhealthy attitudes towards substances and for Low Monitors, substance use. The discussion focuses on the value of using a person-oriented approach to understand parental knowledge and risky behavior during early adolescence and intervention implications.

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Acknowledgments

Work on this paper was supported by research grants DA013709, F31-DA028047, and P50 DA10075 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.

Author Contributions

M.L. conceived of the study, analyzed the data, and drafted the manuscript. M.G. participated in the design and conceptualization of the study, facilitated access to the data, and provided feedback on all drafts. L.C. participated in the design and conceptualization of the study, provided methodological guidance, and provided feedback on all drafts. All authors have read and approved the final draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, 118 Henderson Bldg., University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Melissa A. Lippold

  2. The Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 112 Henderson South Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Mark T. Greenberg & Linda M. Collins

  3. The Methodology Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 400, State College, PA, 16801, USA

    Linda M. Collins

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  1. Melissa A. Lippold
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  2. Mark T. Greenberg
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  3. Linda M. Collins
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Correspondence to Melissa A. Lippold.

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Lippold, M.A., Greenberg, M.T. & Collins, L.M. Parental Knowledge and Youth Risky Behavior: A Person Oriented Approach. J Youth Adolescence 42, 1732–1744 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9893-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9893-1

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