Final answer:
Authoritative parenting is linked to lower adolescent alcohol and cigarette use due to its balanced approach to rule-setting, warmth, and communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recent research indicates that authoritative parenting is associated with lower levels of adolescent alcohol consumption and cigarette use. This style of parenting involves reasonable demands and consistent limits, warmth and affection, and a readiness to listen to the child’s perspective. Parents not only set rules but also explain their reasons and show flexibility when appropriate, clearly contrasting with styles such as authoritarian, neglectful, or permissive parenting, which differ significantly in expectations, rule enforcement, and responsiveness, and may lead to higher risks of substance abuse among adolescents.