EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PERCEIVED PARENT COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE EXPOSURE DURING ADOLESCENCE, AND SUBSEQUENT RISK FOR ALCOHOL USE DISORDER IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD

This dissertation explores the dynamics between parenting practices, family structure, community violence exposure, and adolescent development through three interrelated studies. Collectively, these papers address how family environments shape adolescent experiences and outcomes, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Using data from the Add Health study, this dissertation offers insights for researchers and clinicians supporting youth in vulnerable contexts. Chapter 1 examines the influence of average perceived communication and involvement, as well as differences in these behaviors between parents, on adolescent community violence exposure. This study critiques the conventional focus on averages, emphasizing the impact of discordant parenting. Chapter 2 investigates how family structure moderates the effects of parenting practices on community violence, focusing on youth with separated parents and differences between resident and non-resident parental engagement. Chapter 3 explores whether community violence mediates the relationship between parenting practices and AUD in young adulthood, highlighting how early violence exposure shapes long-term risk.