The Impact of Parent-Teen Communication on Adolescent Sexual Behavior

A study in the March issue of the Journal of Adolescent Research examines how parent-adolescent communication influences the relationship between peer norms and sexual behaviors.

Researchers collected data from 907 adolescents -- 14 to 16 years old -- who participated in the Family and Adolescent Risk Behavior and Communication Study between October 1993 and June 1994.

Findings:

Parent Communication

• 60% of respondents reported having spoken with a parent about sexual initiation.
• 78% of respondents reported having spoken with a parent about condoms.

Sexual Activity

• 41% of respondents reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
• Of these sexual active respondents, the mean age of first intercourse for respondents was 13.7 and their mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 3.85.

Condom Use

• 63% of respondents reported having used a condom at first sexual intercourse.
• 70% of respondents who reported having had sexual intercourse more than once reported using a condom at last sexual intercourse.

Peer Norms

• Respondents were asked to estimate the age at which same-gender peers first had sexual intercourse. The mean response was 13.5 years.
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• Respondents were asked to estimate the percentage of close friends who had ever had sexual intercourse. The mean response was 56.7%.
• Respondents were asked to estimate the percentage of friends that had always used a condom during sexual intercourse. The mean response was 44.7%.

Impact of Peer Norms

• Respondents who perceived that their peers were initiating sexual intercourse at a younger age were more likely to report having had sexual intercourse as well as having initiated sexual intercourse at a younger age.
• Respondents who estimated that a greater percentage of their friends had sexual intercourse were more likely to report having had sexual intercourse as well as having had more sexual partners.
• Respondents who believed that their peers did not use condoms or disliked using condoms were less likely to use condoms.

Impact of Parent Communication

• Parent-teen condom discussions were related to greater condom use at last intercourse, greater lifetime condom use, and greater consistent condom use.
• Parent-teen discussions did not relate to peer norms, but parent-teen discussions and peer norms related to both sexual behavior and condom use.
• The relationship between perceived peer norms and sexual behavior is stronger among teens who had not discussed sexual issues with a parent than among teens who had.
• Peer norms for condom use were a stronger predictor of condom use for teens who had not talked to a parent about sexual intercourse.

Researchers also asked respondents to identify sources of information related to sexuality. Respondents who had discussed sexual issues with their parents saw them as the most useful source of information and norms about sexuality.

The authors conclude that parental communication may play a critical role in achieving public health objectives for sexual activity among adolescents, including delaying the onset of sexual intercourse and promoting condom use.

For more information:

D. J. Whitaker and K. S. Miller, "Parent-Adolescent Discussions About Sex and Condoms: Impact on Peer Influences of Sexual Risk Behavior," Journal of Adolescent Research, March 2000, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 251-73.

Resources

Sexperts: Miscommunication About Teen Pregnancy is a video produced by the East Side Institute for Short Term Psychotherapy. This 40-minute video includes interviews with teens and experts and explores the difficulties teens and adults experience when talking to each other about adolescent pregnancy. 

The video asserts that the teen pregnancy epidemic stems in part from a communication gap between adults and teens. It suggests new ways to approach adult/teen conversations and provides tips to help parents become comfortable with sexuality issues. 

The video also contains important messages for teens including: sexuality is a positive and healthy part of life, teens should look to a trusted adult for guidance on how to be sexually responsible, outside help is available for teens who cannot talk to a parent or other adult, and teens need to make their voices heard on issues of sexuality and adolescent pregnancy.

Sexperts is intended for professionals, parents, adults, and teens.

Copies of the video are free.

For more information:

Mary Fridley
East Side Institute for Short Term Psychotherapy
500 Greenwich Street, Suite 202
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212/941-8906
Fax: 212/941-8340
Web site: www.EastSideInstitute.org
E-mail: maryfrid@aol.com