Teens Talking with Their Partners about Sex: The Role of Parent Communication

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between teens' communication with their parents and their communication with their sexual partners about risk prevention using data from a statewide sample of high school students (n = 24,781). We assessed associations between parent-teen communication and teen-partner sexual risk discussions using multivariable logistic regression. Teens with high levels of general communication with their mothers or fathers had greater odds of talking with partners about pregnancy and STI prevention (p <.05), even controlling for parent-teen communication about sexuality. Study findings suggest that sexuality education programs should promote and build skills for parent-teen communication about both general and sex-specific topics.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual health promotion
• adolescents
• sexual communication
• adolescent sexuality

Acknowledgments

Hicks' and Eisenberg's time on this project was supported in part through funds from the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Fellowship Training Program, University of Minnesota (grant T71-MC-00006, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, DHHS). McRee's time was supported by National Research Service Award (NRSA) in Primary Medical Care, grant no. T32HP22239 (PI: Borowsky), Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.