Parental Psychological Control, Social Capital, Substance Use, and Driving Under the Influence among College Students: Sex Differences

With a sample of college students in emerging adulthood (age range: 18–25), the current study investigated sex differences in the impact of parental psychological control and perceived social capital on three types of health-risk behaviors, including binge drinking, drug use, and driving under the influence (i.e., DUI). The moderation of social capital on the relations between parental psychological control and health-risk behaviors was also studied. The findings suggested that more paternal psychological control and less social capital were positively associated with binge drinking and drug use in men and all three types of risky behavior in women. However, maternal psychological control only predicted more binge drinking and drug use for women. Perceived social capital exacerbated the negative influence of paternal psychological control on males’ drinking behaviors, whereas it buffered the effect of paternal psychological control on females’ DUI behavior. Parenting programs need to focus on sex-specific parenting skills that can encourage children to develop internalized values and internalize positive social rules, attitudes, and behaviors. Prevention or intervention programs may consider enhancing the involvement of fathers in parenting and develop practices sensitive to paternal roles. Parents may consider capitalizing on community resources to facilitate female children’s socialization.