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Using data from the ongoing biennial National Longitudinal Survey on Youth surveys, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to empirically define parental monitoring using measures encompassing multiple facets of the construct. Parental monitoring was ultimately operationalized using a second-order confirmatory factor model, with four first-order factors (i.e. parental school involvement, communication, time involvement, rules/decision-making) supporting the definition of a 'set of correlated parenting behaviors' (Dishion & McMahon, 1998). Consistent with a transactional conceptual framework (Wills & Dishion, 2004), path analysis examined the direct and indirect longitudinal associations between parental monitoring, child disclosure, parental knowledge, and alcohol involvement among children and young adults.

Findings indicated that parental monitoring was a significant protective factor for females across a number of alcohol use measures, both directly and indirectly via child disclosure, maternal knowledge, and early alcohol initiation in the case of subsequent heavier alcohol use. In males, higher monitoring levels in middle childhood protected against alcohol-problem use in young adulthood. Child disclosure reduced the odds of binge drinking in females, controlling for negative peer pressure and maternal alcohol use.

Through proper monitoring practices, parents play an important role in reducing both short-term and long-term alcohol involvement in youth, particularly among females. Proper monitoring could help buffer the observed independent effect of negative peer pressure in early childhood on later youth alcohol use. Child disclosure was an important mediator that warrants further attention. The study provides further support for parenting influences on youth alcohol use and will help guide existing family-focused evidence-based programs aimed at reducing youth substance use and misuse.