The relationship between anxiety and risk of alcohol abuse among adolescents: The moderating role of family social support

Main Article Content

Grigore Ionașcu
Aurelia Glăvan

Abstract

A large body of research has revealed that alcohol abuse among adolescents is a major health concern. Understanding the risk/protective factors associated with adolescent alcohol misuse is critical to providing effective prevention and early individual interventions. Within this broad framework, one area of increasing empirical attention is the association between adolescent alcohol abuse and anxiety problems. Several studies suggest that family social support can effectively reduce health-related problems, including anxiety and adolescent alcohol abuse. The aim of this study was to examine whether family social support moderates the association between anxiety symptoms and adolescent alcohol abuse risk. A population-based sample of 688 Romanian adolescents completed several standardized instruments, including a measure of current risk of alcohol abuse, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988), and an anxiety index from the Youth Self-Report (Achenbach și Rescorla, 1991). The risk of alcohol abuse was positively associated with anxiety (r = 0.373; p < 0.001) and negatively associated with family social support (r = - 0.280; p < 0.001). An inverse relationship was found between family social support and anxiety (r = - 0.341; p < 0.001). Hierarchical linear multiple regression analysis provided support for the moderation relationship. In summary, family social support may act as a buffer by reducing the risks associated with anxiety. Some practical implications for preventive interventions are discussed.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ionașcu, G., & Glăvan, A. (2022). The relationship between anxiety and risk of alcohol abuse among adolescents: The moderating role of family social support. Revista De Psihologie, 68(2), 111–132. Retrieved from https://journalofpsychology.ro/index.php/RP/article/view/73
Section
Studies and researches

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