Parent-Adolescent Communication About Sex: The Impact of Content and Comfort on Adolescent Sexual Behavior

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between parent adolescent communication (comfort), topics discussed when talking to parents about sex (content), and sexual behavior. A larger percent of participants reported they discussed sex with their mother in comparison to their father. More females than males reported they discussed sexual topics with their parents. Adolescents reporting more comfort in talking with their mother about sex were more likely to hold conversations on topics about sex. Content of conversations was related to sexual behavior. A larger percent of adolescents who were told to wait to have sex until married were not sexually active in comparison to adolescents who were given no instruction. The importance of direct messages from parents on their expectations for child's sexual behavior is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• sexual behavior
• sexual intercourse
• HIV
• AIDs
• STDs
• parent-adolescent communication
• parent-child communication
• sex
• sexual risk behavior

The author wishes to thank: Donald E. Morisky, ScD, Amy Strachman, MA, and Chrystene Nguyen, MD.

This research was supported by funds from the Universitywide AIDS Research Program of the University of California, Grant Number K00-LA-079.

Notes

^a χ² p < .05,

^b χ² p < .01.

^a χ² p < .05,

^b χ² p < .01.

^a χ² p < .05,

^b χ² p < .01.