Session: Multiple Methods for Measuring Parental Monitoring in Adolescent Prevention Research (Society for Prevention Research 26th Annual Meeting)

Although parental monitoring has long been established as an important factor in the development of problem behaviors in adolescents, little attention has been given to the validity of its measurement. A number of studies have utilized both youth and parent reports of monitoring to create a latent construct of monitoring. Many other studies rely on one reporter (parent or youth). Seldom have different reporter perspectives been used individually in prediction models, nor other measurement methodologies been explored. This symposium focuses on measuring parental or adult monitoring of adolescents in different methodological contexts. The study “Peer influence and selection mechanisms underlying adolescent problem behaviors” is investigating peer and other social factors that may contribute to adolescent engagement in risky behaviors and substance use. Participating youth live in rural or suburban communities in Oregon, and data are collected from the spring of their 8^th grade school year (ages 13-14) to the fall of 11^th grade. This study takes a multi-informant approach to measurement, which includes parent and youth reports, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), and Peer Network methodology, each of which will be presented.

The first presentation focuses on the different perspectives that parents and youth have regarding parental monitoring and the quality of the parent-youth relationship, and how these perspectives differentially predict alcohol and marijuana onset. The second presentation utilizes EMA and youth questionnaires to measure opportunities for risk (lack of adult presence while with their boy/girlfriend) and how the risky opportunities are associated with dating conflict. The third presentation uses Peer Network methodology to investigate how adult monitoring moderates peer selection and influence effects on adolescent binge drinking. Each presentation examines sex differences for the findings. Implications for prevention research will also be discussed.