In line with previous research (Hussong et al., 2010; McCarty et al., 2013, Ohannessian, 2009), we found that parental problem drinking was positively related to later adolescent alcohol use, drug use, rule breaking and aggressive behavior. For girls, only maternal problem drinking predicted greater drug use, rule breaking, and aggressive behaviors. Paternal problem drinking did not predict any of the externalizing behaviors for girls. However, for boys, maternal problem drinking predicted greater alcohol use and paternal problem drinking positively predicted alcohol use, drug use, and aggressive behavior. There were no significant relationships between parental problem drinking and adolescent binge drinking for girls or boys. Stickley et al., (2013) found that parental warmth served as a protective factor against adolescent binge drinking for girls but not boys. However, in their study, peers' use of substances also was related to adolescent binge drinking. Perhaps, examination of other family functioning processes and peer relationships are needed to understand how parental problem drinking is related to adolescent binge drinking.
