Enhancing Parent-Child Communication about Drug Use: Strategies for Professionals Working with Parents and Guardians

Research indicates that family connectedness is the leading protective factor against youth involvement in alcohol and other drug use. A vital component to building positive family connections is effective parent-child communication. This article discusses the importance of building positive parent-child communication skills and provides practical strategies that professionals working with parents/guardians can use to help promote effective family communication about youth drug prevention. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying the key components to successful parent-child communication. Information is also provided that can assist professionals in educating parents and guardians about peer pressure resistance, parental disapproval of youth drug use, parental monitoring and rule/limit setting of youth behaviors, and the importance of displaying authoritative parenting skills. All content and strategies are based on a comprehensive review of the professional literature. Professionals working with parents and guardians should find the strategies and information provided in this article to be quite beneficial in their efforts to promote quality parent-child communication.