Parental Alcohol Use and its Association with Emotional Well-Being and Academic Outcomes Among Secondary School Students in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Author:
Moses Alex
;
Elias Namosha
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
parental alcohol consumption;
academic performance;
emotional wellbeing;
parental involvement;
secondary school students;
Papua New Guinea
- From:
Pacific Journal of Medical Sciences
2026;27(2):36-49
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Parental alcohol use is a growing public health concern with significant implications for the emotional
well-being and academic performance of children and adolescents. Evidence from Pacific Island
countries, including Papua New Guinea (PNG), remains limited. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 109 upper secondary school students in Port Moresby. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing parental alcohol use, parental involvement, home
environment, emotional outcomes, and academic performance. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between household factors and learning and concentration difficulties. Nearly 70% of students reported parental alcohol use, and approximately three-quarters indicated minimal or no parental involvement in their education. Emotional distress was reported by 66.1% of participants, while over two-thirds demonstrated poor to average academic performance.
