From Parenting to Polysubstance Use: The Role of Attachment and Psychosocial Mechanisms in Addiction Vulnerability

Background:

Polysubstance use disorder (PSUD) in adolescents and young adults is often rooted in early family dynamics. Baumrind’s typology—later extended by Maccoby & Martin and the integrative model of Darling & Steinberg—offers a framework to understand how parental warmth (responsiveness) and control (demandingness) shape risk trajectories for substance use. Authoritative parenting is generally protective, while neglectful, permissive/indulgent, and authoritarian are related to increased adolescent substance use which can develop into PSUD. This review integrates evidence on parenting, attachment, and psychosocial theories in relation to PSUD.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010–2025 using keywords including “parenting style,” “Baumrind,” “attachment,” “psychosocial theory,” “substance use disorder,” and “polysubstance use.” Eligible studies focused on adolescents and young adults (12–25 years) with outcomes related to parenting, attachment, psychosocial factors, and substance use. Observational and review studies were included, foundational theoretical works were additionally reviewed for conceptual context.

Results:

Authoritative parenting was associated with lower risk of substance use, mediated by parental monitoring, warmth, and communication, while neglectful parenting increased vulnerability. Insecure attachment predicted early initiation and escalation of use; disorganized attachment was common in clinical PSUD samples. Social Learning Theory emphasized modeling and self-efficacy, Problem Behavior Theory framed substance use as part of deviant behavior clusters, the Self-Medication Hypothesis explained multi-drug use as emotion regulation, and ecological models highlighted layered social influences. Peer influence strongly contributed to polysubstance involvement, but secure attachment and effective parental monitoring buffered these effects.

Conclusions:

Authoritative parenting and secure attachment are key protective factors against PSUD, while risk trajectories are mediated by psychosocial mechanisms including modeling, self-efficacy, and emotion regulation. Integrative interventions targeting parenting, attachment, and peer/community contexts may improve prevention and treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Parenting styles, polysubstance use, psychosocial theories, addiction vulnerability