Absence of a Parent in Early Childhood Linked to Drinking and Smoking as Preteen

To examine whether early parental absence is associated with smoking and drinking alcohol before adolescence, researchers periodically surveyed the families of nearly 11,000 children in the U.K. when the children were aged 9 months through 11 years.

After multivariable adjustment, parental absence before age 7 was associated with a 54% increased risk for smoking and a 27% increased risk for drinking alcohol by age 11. There was no difference in risky behaviors based on which parent was absent or the child's age at absence.

— Adapted from a Physician's First Watch article published on October 11, 2016