Parental alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and health beliefs about parent involvement in AOD prevention.

Because the family plays an important role in predicting alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among youth, prevention efforts must begin in early childhood and involve parents. The purpose of this study was to determine differences between parent AOD users and nonusers in relation to health beliefs about parent involvement in AOD prevention with preschool children. A convenience sample of 200 Head Start parents in East Central Indiana completed self-report instruments measuring Health Belief Model constructs. Almost half (45%) reported alcohol use, over half (54%) smoked cigarettes, and 11% admitted using illicit drugs. Compared to nonusers, illicit drug users were more likely to perceive their children as susceptible to future AOD use, but less likely to view AOD use by their children as serious. Compared with nonsmokers, tobacco users were more likely to perceive their children as susceptible to future AOD use and had less interest in maintaining health through early prevention activities.