[Parents as alcohol pushers?].

In a study of 834 adolescents, age 14-17, in the Oslo area, the relationship between parental 'alcohol pushing' and the adolescents' own drinking behaviour, was investigated. 'Alcohol pushing' defined as parents who give alcohol to children under the age of 18, was quite common. This was the case in particular in the age group 16 to 17. There were big differences, however, as regards the kind of situations when this occurred. This kind of parental behaviour was most prevalent on 'special occasions' like New Years Eve, but also occurred relatively often in situations such as 'Sunday dinner'. The alcohol consumption of the adolescents, measured in liters per year, was strongly correlated with the degree to which their parents gave them alcohol. Similar relationships existed as regards the frequency of drinking episodes which resulted in intoxication. A multivariate analysis was conducted. It revealed that parental 'alcohol pushing' was the most important factor relative to the adolescents' role modelling of their parents' own alcohol consumption. The conclusion seem to be that adolescents who get alcohol from their parents also drink most heavily with their peers outside the home.