Parents’ alcohol use may up teenage dating violence: Study

New York: Teenagers who have parents suffering from alcohol use disorders may be at increased risk for exhibiting abusive dating behaviour, a study warns. Researchers from University of Buffalo in the US evaluated 144 teenagers who had fathers with an alcohol use disorder and who had been initially recruited for study at 12 months of age. By analysing data that was collected regularly over the course of their lifespan, researchers identified factors that led to some of the teenagers to be involved in abusive dating relationships. “It appears that family dynamics occurring in the preschool years and in middle childhood are critical in the development of aggression and dating violence in the teenage years,” said Jennifer A. Livingston, at University of Buffalo. Researchers noted that mothers living with partners who have alcohol use disorder tended to be more depressed and, as a result, were less warm and sensitive in their interactions with their children, beginning in infancy. “This is significant because children with warm and sensitive mothers are better able to regulate their emotions and behaviour. In addition, there is more marital conflict when there is alcohol addiction,” Livingston said. These conditions can interfere with children’s abilities to control their own behaviour, resulting in higher levels of aggression in early and middle childhood, researchers said. They also found that children who are more aggressive in childhood, particularly with their siblings, are more likely to be aggressive with their romantic partners during their teen years. “Our research suggests the risk for violence can be lessened when parents are able to be more warm and sensitive in their interactions with their children during the toddler years,” Livingston said. “This in turn can reduce marital conflict and increase the children’s self-control, and ultimately reduce involvement in aggressive behaviour,” she added.