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Table 1 Examples of parenting strategies under the sub-headings used in the Delphi surveys and the final document

From: Parenting strategies for reducing adolescent alcohol use: a Delphi consensus study

Survey sub-headings

Final document sub-headings

Example parenting strategies

Things parents should know

Some things you should know about adolescent drinking

Parents should be aware that adolescents have less physical tolerance to the effects of alcohol

Delaying initiation*

Delay your adolescent's introduction to drinking (including items from 'Provision of alcohol')

Parents should be aware that the longer their adolescent delays alcohol use, the less likely they are to develop problems associated with alcohol.

Providing alcohol*

 

Parents should be aware that they can teach responsible drinking to their adolescent without allowing the adolescent to drink.

Parental modelling*

Model responsible drinking and attitudes towards alcohol

Parents who drink should model responsible drinking by never drinking and driving.

Talking to adolescents about alcohol*

Talk to your adolescent about alcohol

(including some items from 'Expressing disapproval' and 'School and community resources')

When talking to their adolescent child about alcohol, parents should teach them that the effects of alcohol vary between individuals, depending upon the amount of alcohol, the person and the context.

Expressing disapproval*

 

Parents should not present a permissive approach to alcohol, as this can increase the likelihood of alcohol misuse by their adolescent child.

School and community resources

 

Parents should be aware of how alcohol is addressed in their adolescent's school curriculum.

General parental discipline*

Establish family rules

(including items from 'Alcohol-specific rules', and 'Consequences for when rules are broken')

When establishing family rules parents should involve the adolescent in their development.

Alcohol-specific rules

 

In establishing family rules regarding alcohol, parents should ensure the adolescent knows that these rules are a protective measure, and not just a restriction on their freedom.

Consequences for when rules are broken

 

When establishing consequences for when family rules are broken, parents should make them very clear to their adolescent child.

Supervision and monitoring*

Monitor your adolescent when you are not around

Parents should be aware that parental monitoring reduces the likelihood of their adolescent misusing alcohol.

Parents should monitor their adolescent by asking them where they will be when they are unsupervised.

Activities

 

Parents should be aware that adolescents who participate in activities that complement their interests and abilities are less likely to misuse alcohol.

Community Action

 

Parents should become involved in community activities aimed at the prevention of adolescent alcohol misuse.

Dealing with peer influence

Prepare your adolescent for peer pressure

Parents should be aware that if their adolescent's friends use alcohol, their adolescent is more likely to use alcohol.

Preparation for situations involving alcohol

Unsupervised adolescent drinking

Parents should discuss with their adolescent situations they may be faced with where they are pressured to drink to ensure they are sufficiently prepared for handling these situations.

When an adolescent has been drinking without permission

When your adolescent has been drinking without permission

If their adolescent comes home drunk, parents should wait until the adolescent is sober before talking to them about their behaviour.

Parties

Adolescent parties at your house

When hosting an adolescent party, parents should work with their adolescent to plan age appropriate activities to take the focus off drinking at the party.

Parent-child relationship quality*

Establish and maintain a good relationship with your adolescent child

(including items from 'Family conflict', 'Parental support', 'Parental involvement', and 'General Communication')

Parents should praise their adolescent for their efforts as well as their achievements.

Family conflict*

 

Parents should not tease their adolescent in a way that could be perceived as hurtful.

Parental support*

 

Parents should ensure that their positive comments outweigh their negative comments in their interactions with their adolescent.

Parental involvement*

 

Parents can be involved with their adolescent by establishing a regular weekly routine for doing something special with the adolescent.

General communication*

 

Parents should encourage communication with their adolescent by asking the adolescent about topics that interest them, and listening to them when they talk.

  1. * Denotes accompanied by evidence review