Comparing intact and non-intact families in terms of trends in adolescent weekly tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking (Poland: 2002-2014)

The family, school and peer group are considered to be important factors which have an impact on engaging in risky behaviours in adolescence [1]. Numerous researchers point to the combined influence of these three agents and some examples of mediation or moderation effects were presented [2]. The negative impact of peers may be limited by a well-functioning family or a strong motivation to study [3]. The protective effect of the family depends on the quality and strength of family bonds, as well as the rules of parental care [4]. Conversely, a lower level of parent education may play a role in reinforcing negative behavioural patterns among young people. Numerous studies have demonstrated that tobacco smoking is more frequent among smokers’ children [5, 6]. The family structure should be listed as one of the key social determinants of child and adolescent health [7]. An intensification of risky behaviours is observed in the case of absence of one or both parents. It is even more important considering that the current social, economic and cultural changes alter the image of the modern family and pose new threats. The presence of only one parent (usually the mother) is often associated with lower family socio-economic status [8]. Furthermore, economic migration of the parents raises the affluence but at the same time negatively influences family bonds. There are numerous other non-economic (or indirectly related to material conditions) factors, which may intensify risky behaviours in adolescents raised in less traditional families: increased stress, time limitations of a single parent, and experiencing lower responsibility for the child by the step-parent [9, 10]. Independently of the configuration of the household members, there is a need to strengthen the family factors which protect young people from reaching for psychoactive substances. Regularly repeated surveys provide an opportunity to monitor the factors that determine health in early adolescence [11]. The most recent national report from the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) survey focused on social determinants of health [12]. The family structure was one of the three analysed factors, along with the place of residence and family affluence. This study extends previous research [12, 13]. The aim of the study was to compare the mid-term trends in smoking and drinking in lower secondary school students raised with both biological parents and in other types of families.