Parent-Child Relationships and Single and Two Parent Families: Implications for Substance Usage

This article examines the relationship between substance usage and parent-child relationships and the number of parents with whom the child lives. These relationships were examined through initial and cross-validation studies. Findings disclosed that youngsters who lived with both parents were less likely to report higher substance usage than those who lived with one parent. Also, youngsters who reported better parent-child relationships were more likely to report lower substance usage. Evidence is offered that parent-child relationships may be more important in predicting substance usage than the number of parents at home.