Parenting Methods, Attitudes and Beliefs Towards Risk Behaviors Among Asian American Yout

This research study investigated how certain parenting methods (authoritarian, authoritative and permissive) were related to attitudes and beliefs about certain risk behaviors among Asian American youth, as well as peer support and self-esteem. The risk behaviors that were assessed in this study were drug use, alcohol use and suicidal ideation. A qualitative study was performed in which the population of interest is Asian American youth. Two focus groups were conducted using a series of open-ended questions relating to parenting methods, peer support, self-esteem and attitudes toward the risk behaviors being assessed. A recorder and one or two note takers was used to record the notes. Responses from the participants were analyzed for common themes using a phenomenological approach. Majority of the responses received indicated that authoritarian parenting was most common among the Asian American community and did play a major role in drug/alcohol usage and suicidal ideation and that self-esteem and peer support is critical in most cases. Therefore, it can be concluded that drug/alcohol usage and suicidal ideation can be influenced by the type of parenting received and that self-esteem and peer support is a component that does influence the relationship between Asian American youth and their parents.