Adolescents who do not live with both parents have a higher chance of engaging in cannabis use: Does family support moderate this association?

Abstract

Previous research indicates that adolescents who do not live with both parents have a higher chance of engaging in cannabis use. This study investigates if family support moderates this association. A cross-sectional, nationally representative sample was used from the Dutch 2021 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, including 5159 secondary school students (Meanage = 13.82, SD = 1.31, 50.8% male). First, a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess whether not living with both parents has an effect on adolescent cannabis use. Additionally, an interaction analysis examined whether family support could weaken the association between not living with both parents and cannabis use. The results indicate that adolescents not living with both parents are more likely to engage in cannabis use, which corresponds with previous research. Importantly, these findings underscore that adolescents who do not live with both parents constitute a persistently vulnerable group. Policymakers and stakeholders should pay specific attention to this group, recognising them as a high-risk cohort. Stronger family support is associated with a lower likelihood of adolescent cannabis use. Investing in enhancing family support, through initiatives such as family counselling services and parenting programs, emerges as a worthwhile effort, benefiting all young individuals. However, family support has not been found to be a moderator between not living with both parents and cannabis use. Adolescents who do not live with both parents remain a high-risk group. Family support is beneficial for the development of all adolescents but not especially for youth who do not live with both parents.