Parenting Styles and Alcohol Use among the Youth in Selected Rehabilitation Centres and Health Facilities in South Western Uganda

Introduction. Alcohol use among youths has increasingly become a major public health concern due to its association with mental health disorders, violence, risky sexual behaviours, poor academic performance, addiction, and reduced productivity. Although several interventions such as rehabilitation services, counselling programs, community sensitisation, and parental guidance initiatives have been implemented in Uganda, alcohol use among youths remains high, particularly in South Western Uganda. This study examined the relationship between parenting styles and alcohol use among youths in selected rehabilitation centres and health facilities in South Western Uganda. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between authoritative parenting style, authoritarian parenting style, permissive parenting style, neglectful parenting style, and alcohol use among youths. Methodology. The study adopted a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional correlational research design. The study was conducted in selected rehabilitation centres and health facilities in Mbarara City and Kabale District, namely Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, Living Hope Rehabilitation Centre, and Buhumuriro Counselling Centre. The study population comprised youths aged 13 to 35 years receiving rehabilitation and treatment services related to alcohol use disorders. A sample size of 203 respondents was selected using a proportionate stratified consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected using standardised questionnaires, namely the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis with the help of SPSS version 28.0. Results. The study found that authoritative parenting style had a strong negative significant relationship with alcohol use among youths (r = -0.568, p = 0.000). Authoritarian parenting style had a weak negative relationship with alcohol use (r = -0.145, p = 0.039). The study further established that permissive parenting style had a moderate positive significant relationship with alcohol use among youths (r = 0.326, p = 0.000). Neglectful parenting style had a strong positive significant relationship with alcohol use among youths (r = 0.699, p = 0.000). Conclusions. The study concluded that authoritative parenting style plays a protective role against alcohol use among youths, while permissive and neglectful parenting styles significantly increase youths’ vulnerability to harmful alcohol use behaviours. The study further concluded that the authoritarian parenting style had limited independent influence on alcohol use when other parenting styles were considered simultaneously. The study recommends that parents adopt authoritative parenting practices characterised by supervision, emotional support, open communication, and consistent discipline. Rehabilitation centres, schools, health facilities, and community-based organisations should strengthen family-centred counselling, parenting education, and youth mentorship programs aimed at reducing alcohol misuse among youths in Uganda.