Relationship between parental involvement and substance use in adolescents.

This study analyzes the relationship between parental involvement and substance use in adolescents from the Enrique Salinas Buscovich school in Chillán, Chile. Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight high school students and their parents, complemented by the application of the Positive Parenting Scale (E2P). The results reveal a significant correlation between the low level of parental involvement and the consumption of substances such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. It was identified that adolescents who perceive greater supervision and emotional support have lower rates of consumption, while those with less involved parents show a greater predisposition to experiment with drugs. The study highlights the importance of strengthening parental skills, especially those linked to communication and emotional connection, as key tools for the prevention of risk behaviors in adolescence. It is recommended to implement family and community intervention programs aimed at developing parenting skills and promoting protective environments, thus contributing to the reduction of substance use in school and family contexts.