Family relationships and alcohol use from adolescence to early adulthood

Previous research has explored sibling relationships, romantic relationships, parent-child relationships, and alcohol use in adolescence and early adulthood (Fleming, White, & Catalano, 2010; Rauer & Volling, 2007; Samek & Rueter, 2011). However, the research is miniscule when examining how these factors influence one another. This study examined adolescent family-of-origin relationships, as well as adolescent alcohol use, and its influence on early adulthood relationships and alcohol use, through the lens of Attachment Theory. This study used a subset of participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health) (Harris & Udry, 2008) (N = 764). The results suggest that relationships and behaviors endure over time. Adolescents’ perceived closeness with both mother and father had a positive influence on perceived closeness with mother and father in early adulthood and alcohol use in adolescence had a positive influence on alcohol use in early adulthood. Furthermore, closeness with mother in adolescence had a negative influence on partner relationship quality in early adulthood. Additionally, alcohol use in adolescence had a positive influence on closeness with mother and father in early adulthood. Implications for clinicians, families and researchers are discussed.