Single Parent Family Structure as a Predictor of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students: Evidence from Jamaica

Abstract

Background: In Jamaica, alcohol is the most commonly used substance among adolescents and young persons.<br />The aim of this study was to examine the potential relationship between Jamaican secondary students' alcohol drinking<br />habits and their family structure. Methods: Data collected from a nationally representative survey of 3,365 students<br />were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results: Out of the 3,365 students, 1,044 (31.0%)<br />were from single-parent families. Single-parent families, married-parent families and common law-parent families were<br />significantly associated with lifetime use of alcohol (AOR= 1.72, 95% CI= 1.06 - 2.79; AOR= 1.73, 95% CI= 1.07- 2.81,<br />AOR= 1.94, 95%CI= 1.17- 3.21 respectively). However, family structure was not significantly associated with past<br />year and past month alcohol use. Students whose parents “sometimes" knew their whereabouts were significantly less<br />likely to use alcohol in their lifetime compared to students whose parents “Always" knew where the students were.<br />Conclusion: Family structure is an independent predictor of alcohol use among high school students in Jamaica.<br />Being from single-parent families, married-parent and common- law parent families were significantly associated with<br />increased likelihood for lifetime alcohol use.