Family Time and Children's Smoking and Alcohol Use
Author Information
Author(s): Garmienė Asta, Žemaitienė Nida, Zaborskis Apolinaras
Primary Institution: Kaunas University of Medicine
Hypothesis
The amount of time spent in joint family activities influences the initiation of smoking and alcohol use among children.
Conclusion
Less time spent in joint family activities and frequent parental smoking and alcohol use contribute to children's smoking and alcohol addictions.
Supporting Evidence
- 81.5% of parents reported attending alcohol-furnished parties at least once a month.
- 50.6% of fathers and 19.9% of mothers were smokers.
- Boys were more likely to try smoking and alcohol than girls.
Takeaway
If families spend less time together, kids are more likely to start smoking and drinking alcohol.
Methodology
Cross-sectional study involving structured questionnaires filled by fifth-grade schoolchildren and their parents.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in self-reported data from parents and children.
Limitations
The study sample was drawn from Kaunas only, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
369 fifth-grade schoolchildren (57.2% boys, 42.8% girls) and 565 parents (57.2% mothers, 48.2% fathers).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.09 – 4.27
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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