Developmental Transitions and College Student Drinking

Alcohol misuse on college campuses is an ongoing national public health concern. For many young adults, the transition to college is a high-risk period for the initiation or continuation of problem drinking behaviors. Contrary to assertions of diminishing influence of parents on their children once they enter college, a substantial body of recent research supports the continuing protective influence of parents on the drinking behavior of college students. This chapter reviews the empirical research literature examining parental influences on college student drinking. Recent studies on parental influence on college drinking include parenting styles, parental monitoring, parent–child communication, parental modeling and attitudes toward drinking, and parental relationship quality. Recently developed parent-based interventions designed to reduce problem drinking on college campuses are described and reviewed. Recommendations for parents of college-bound children are provided to help reduce the risk for the development of problem drinking during this important developmental transition.