Buffering Effect of Parental Monitoring Knowledge and Parent-Adolescent Relationships on Consequences of Adolescent Substance Use

When adolescents begin using substances, negative consequences are not always directly proportional to the amount used; heavy users may have few consequences whereas light users may have numerous consequences. This study examined how parental monitoring knowledge and parent–child relationship quality may serve as buffers against negative consequences when adolescents use substances. Self-report questionnaires were administered to a community sample of 200 healthy adolescents and their parents at two time points, one year apart. Results suggest that both parental monitoring knowledge and parent–child relationship quality serve as buffers against negative consequences of substance use—but only when adolescents report high levels of monitoring knowledge or strong parent–child relationship quality. Results suggests adolescent perceived parental monitoring knowledge and parent–child relationship quality each act independently to buffer adolescents against negative consequences of substance use over a 1-year period.