Engaging parents in alcohol prevention

Evaluation of the parent component in the Our Choice trial

Bibliographic Data

ID21605243
AuthorsLotte Vallentin-Holbech (0000-0001-5118-563X, Aarhus University, corresponding author), Nadine Ezzaaf Fryland (0009-0006-4456-4192, Aarhus University), Camilla Krogner Caspersen (0009-0007-6143-5963, Aarhus University), Sarah W Feldstein Ewing (0000-0002-9120-9306, Aarhus University), Kristine Rømer Thomsen (0000-0003-3612-5529, Aarhus University)
Year2026
Pages1-15
Publication date2026-07-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDrugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09687637.2026.2696507
OpenAlexW7167410566
LanguageEN
References cited42

Background Parental behaviors are linked to adolescent drinking, highlighting the importance of parent-related factors in intervention design. Our prevention trial, Our Choice, included a component on how parents can help reduce adolescents’ hazardous drinking (45-minute after-work meeting). This paper examines feasibility and parents’ perceived salience of this component.Method The Parent component was implemented at eleven Danish high schools. Parents of 2,383 first-year students (aged 15–18) were invited to participate and complete a brief online survey. Descriptive statistics assessed attendance, perceived relevance and recommendation, while content analysis identified what parents found salient.Results Among parents who attended the Parent component (N = 1,953), 1,138 completed the survey. A total of 92.1% recommended offering the Parent component next year, and 81.3% found it relevant. Five categories reflected what parents found salient: (1) Alcohol practices and culture, (2) Negative consequences of adolescents’ substance use, (3) Parents’ role, responsibility, and supportive actions, (4) Shared responsibility for setting boundaries, and (5) Parents’ attitudes toward the Parent component.Conclusion Parents engaged and found the key messages relevant. Findings suggest that integrating parent components into school-based interventions to reduce hazardous drinking among adolescents is feasible and well-received by parents in Denmark, a European country with high adolescent drinking

Descriptive statistics · Psychological intervention · Substance use · Suicide prevention · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

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Open DOIOpen Access