The Relationship Between Perceived Parenting Styles and Attitudes Towards Alcohol Use Among 13-17 Year Old Boys in Sub-county Secondary Schools in Kiambu Sub-countyi

Abstract

According to research, especially in social psychology the root of behaviour is attitude. Alcohol abuse is a social behaviour that continues to be a major global factor in terms of risks and economic burden. Early initiation comes with both immediate and future risks for the individual. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived parenting styles and attitudes (using the three component structure of beliefs, emotions and behaviour) towards alcohol use among 13-17 year old boys in sub-county secondary schools in Kiambu sub-county. The study used survey method design where both quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from a stratified random sample of 318 students with final respondent number of 288 and 2 focus group discussions and 4 key informants purposively sampled for the qualitative part of the survey. Self-report questionnaire using standardized test were used to examine attitudes towards alcohol use (Teenagers Attitude Towards Alcohol Scale) and perceived parenting styles (Perceived Parental Questionnaire- 20). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Multiple regressions and Chi square to test the hypothesis. Qualitative data was analysed and reported according to emerging themes in the main objectives. Attitude towards alcohol use among the participants was found to be positive across the four parenting styles with (75%) reporting positive against 25%who reported negative attitude. The parenting style of mothers and fathers were found to have no statistically significant association with beliefs towards alcohol use (χ2=6.0162, p=0.111) and (χ2=0.7850, p=0.853) respectively. The mothers’ parenting style was found to have statistically significant association with emotions towards alcohol use (χ2=7.7324, p=0.052) and also behaviour intentions (χ2=11.2220, p=0.011). The fathers’ parenting style had no statistically significant relationship with either emotions towards alcohol use (χ2=5.3766, p=0.146) or behavior (χ2=5.8326, p=0.120). Parenting styles were associated with peer pressure and media which were associated with beliefs while age, social economic status, media and peer influence were associated with emotions but none with behaviour intentions. Among the parenting styles permissive parenting style was the least associated with positive attitudes while authoritarian style was associated with the highest positive attitude followed by authoritative. Neglectful style was associated with ambivalence.