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Abstract
Parenting efforts can postpone the age at which children actually start using alcohol but can also lead to increased alcohol use. The aim of this study was to assess the association between being allowed to drink at home and alcohol use of children, taking into account psychosocial health. A cross-sectional study among 1500 primary school children (50.4% girls; age: M = 10.9 years, SD = 0.7) was carried out. Taking into account age, gender, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, there were large (lifetime alcohol use; d = −1.21) to very large (past four weeks; d = −1.52) negative associations between primary school children's perception of being allowed to drink at home and alcohol use. If children thought they were not allowed to drink at home, they were actually more likely to use alcohol. Future research should examine situations in which counter-productive effects of parenting efforts take place.