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Published on: September 19, 2019
Quality of Parent-Adolescent Conversations About Sex and Adolescent Sexual Behavior: An Observational Study
Adam A Rogers1, Thao Ha1, Elizabeth A Stormshak2
1T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Family and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
Purpose:
Studies suggest that the quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex uniquely predicts adolescent sexual behavior. Previous studies have relied predominantly on self-report data. Observational methods, which are not susceptible to self-report biases, may be useful in examining the associations between the quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex and adolescent sexual behavior more objectively.
Methods:
With a sample of adolescents (N = 55, 58% male, 44% white, Mage = 15.8) and their parents, we used hierarchical logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between the observed quality of parent-adolescent communication about dating and sex and the likelihood of adolescents' sexual intercourse.
Results:
The quality of parent-adolescent communication about dating and sex predicted sexual behavior. Specifically, lecturing was associated with a higher likelihood of adolescents having had sexual intercourse.
Conclusions:
The quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex is a unique correlate of adolescent sexual behavior and warrants further investigation. Thus, it serves as a potential target of preventive interventions that aim to foster adolescent sexual health behaviors.
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