The present study is not without limitations. First, the data in this study were collected through self-report measures. Although research suggests that adolescent self-reports are reliable and valid (Ciesla, Spear, & Skala, 1999), future research should strive to use multiple methods of data collection. Greater insights into the relationships between adolescents and their parents may be gained through observational techniques or interviews. A second limitation of the study is that the sample was drawn from the Mid-Atlantic U.S., and therefore the findings may not be generalized to the entire adolescent population. Studies using nationally representative samples should replicate this study to explore the relationships among these variables. Despite these limitations, these longitudinal findings contribute to the current literature by exploring the unique effects for adolescent girls and boys in the context of both maternal and paternal problem drinking.
