Maya Tirpak

Abstract: This study aims to explore the extent of parental influence on adolescents and their engagement with the over the counter pain relief medications Tylenol and Advil. Adolescents turn to OTC medications, specifically Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen, everyday for relief from common ailments. These drugs’ easy accessibility, prevalence of use among this demographic, and this age group’s transition from parental medication to self medication makes Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen easy to misuse and overuse, especially for teenageragers who overestimate their familiarity with the drugs and underestimate the associated risks. Little research has been done to study how parental influence can impact an adolescent’s engagement with drugs hat are easily accessible and readily available in the home. This study aims to bridge this gap in research. A correlational study was conducted using an online questionnaire. Findings suggest that parents are a large group of influence over teenagers and their engagement with these medications, but may only instill a general sense of understanding that does not translate to deeper critical-thinking processes or understanding surrounding these medications.