Patterns of Sexuality Communication Between Preadolescents and Their Mothers and Fathers

The purpose of the current study was to examine communication about sexual topics between preadolescents and their mothers and fathers. Participants were 135 African-American mothers, fathers, and their 9- to 12-year-old offspring. Each member of the triad completed a 10-item measure of communicatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of child and family studies 2008-10, Vol.17 (5), p.649-662
Main Authors: Wyckoff, Sarah C., Miller, Kim S., Forehand, Rex, Bau, J. J., Fasula, Amy, Long, Nicholas, Armistead, Lisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Adolescents
African Americans
At Risk Persons
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Child and School Psychology
Communication research
Daughters
Disease prevention
Families & family life
Fathers
Gender Differences
Health Promotion
Interpersonal Communication
Mothers
Original Paper
Parent Child Relationship
Parent-Child communication
Parents & parenting
Preadolescents
Prevention
Preventive strategies
Psychology
Risk factors
Sex education
Sexual behaviour
Sexuality
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Social Sciences
Sociology
Sons
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Summary:The purpose of the current study was to examine communication about sexual topics between preadolescents and their mothers and fathers. Participants were 135 African-American mothers, fathers, and their 9- to 12-year-old offspring. Each member of the triad completed a 10-item measure of communication about risk factors for sexual activity, sexual communication, and sexual risk prevention. A majority of parents and their preadolescents reported communication had occurred about most topics. Mothers and fathers were equally likely to communicate with sons whereas mothers were more likely to communicate with daughters than were fathers. Based on the study results, preadolescence may be the optimal time for parents to provide sexual risk prevention messages to their children before sexual behaviors are initiated.
ISSN:1062-1024
1573-2843
DOI:10.1007/s10826-007-9179-5