30-minute evening routine experts say can help protect teenagers
Which family habit can help teenagers (Photo: Freepik)
Teenagers going through adolescence often develop harmful habits such as drinking alcohol or smoking. However, there is one habit that can help prevent this.
A study published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma explains which family traditions can help teenagers avoid harmful behaviors.
Which habit can help teenagers
Regular family dinners may help teenagers use alcohol, drugs, and e-cigarettes less often, according to scientists in a new research study.
The study found that high-quality family meals are associated with lower rates of alcohol, cannabis, and vaping use among most teenagers.
Researchers analyzed an online survey of 2,090 teenagers aged 12–17 and their parents across the United States.
Participants were asked about the atmosphere during family dinners, including communication, enjoyment, presence of gadgets, and organizational challenges, as well as their use of psychoactive substances over the past six months.
Effect most noticeable in low-stress families
Among teenagers with lower levels of childhood trauma, high-quality family dinners were linked to a 22–34% reduction in substance use.
At the same time, for children with significant traumatic experiences, shared meals offered little protective effect. In these cases, experts recommend supplementing family rituals with psychological support and other forms of parental engagement.
Why it works
Study lead Marge Skir explained that regular family dinners create a space for ongoing communication and greater parental involvement in children’s lives, which over time may reduce the risk of risky behavior.
Important research note
The authors emphasize that the study is cross-sectional, so it does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between family dinners and avoiding harmful habits. Additionally, the online participant sample may limit how universally the results apply to all families.
