Abstract
The association between alcohol consumption by students with family conflicts, parental supervision and quality of relationships was investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,265 adolescents from 21 schools. The Brazilian version of the Drug Use Screening Inventory/DUSI was used, and absolute and relative prevalence for categorical variables was estimated, while bivariate analyses and Pearson’s Chi Square test were conducted. For the magnitude of the association between the dependent and independent variables, prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson multivariate regression. There was an association between alcohol consumption and drug use by family members, frequent discussions and parental lack of awareness about adolescents’ activities. Family supervision, a good relationship with parents/guardians, establishing an affective family bond and parents’ knowledge about teenagers’ whereabouts, were protective factors for alcohol use. The conclusion was that the high rate of schoolchildren who consume alcohol is worrying, liable to health complications in general, and a harmonized family relationship is fundamental. The implementation of measures of intervention between school and the Family Health Strategy, can contribute to the establishment of a protective bond.
Key words:
Adolescent; Alcoholic beverages; Family conflict; Family relationships