Sestrinski glasnik, Vol. 31 No. 2, 2026.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.31.2.4
Parenting styles as predictors of smoking and alcohol consumption among nursing students
Maja Strauss
; University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2 000 Maribor, Slovenia
Barbara Cussigh
; University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2 000 Maribor, Slovenia
Leona Cilar Budler
; University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Žitna ulica 15, 2 000 Maribor, Slovenia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Introduction: Smoking and alcohol consumption are common health-risk behaviours among students and may be influenced by family-related factors such as parenting style. This study examined whether perceived parenting styles predict smoking and alcohol consumption among nursing students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing students (N = 298). Parenting style dimensions (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive) were analysed as predictors of smoking status and alcohol consumption using binary logistic regression. Differences in self-rated overall health between smokers and non-smokers, and between alcohol consumers and non-consumers, were tested using the Mann–Whitney U test.
Results: The logistic regression model predicting smoking status was not statistically significant (χ²(3) = 7.09, p = .069), and none of the parenting style dimensions independently predicted smoking. The model predicting alcohol consumption was also not statistically significant overall (χ²(3) = 4.65, p = .199); however, authoritarian parenting was a significant individual predictor (B = 0.278, p = .038; OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.02, 1.72]). Self-rated overall health differed significantly between smokers and non-smokers (U = 7541.00, Z = −2.94, p = .003), with smokers reporting poorer health. No significant differences in self-rated health were found between alcohol consumers and non-consumers (U = 9485.50, Z = −0.49, p = .623).
Discussion: Parenting styles were not associated with smoking among nursing students, whereas authoritarian parenting was linked to a higher likelihood of alcohol consumption. Smoking was associated with poorer self-rated overall health, highlighting the importance of smoking prevention and cessation interventions in nursing students.
Conclusion: Perceived parenting styles appear to have a limited role in explaining smoking behaviour among nursing students, although authoritarian parenting may increase vulnerability to alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that prevention strategies should extend beyond family-related factors and address broader psychosocial determinants, including coping skills, stress management, peer influences, and health-promoting behaviours.
Keywords
nursing students; parenting style; smoking; alcohol consumption; self-rated health; health-risk behaviours
Hrčak ID:
350210
URI
Publication date:
15.8.2026.
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