Caregiver–Youth Communication about Sex in South Africa: The Role of Maternal Child Sexual Abuse History

Abstract

Much of the research on child sexual abuse focuses on negative outcomes. This brief report explores a potentially protective parenting behavior among black South African female caregivers with and without a child sexual abuse history. Using cross-sectional baseline data, we hypothesized that caregiver child sexual abuse history would be positively associated with caregiver–youth sex communication and this relationship would be strongest for girls. Youth whose caregiver experienced child sexual abuse were more likely to report communicating with their caregiver about sex than youth whose caregivers did not experience child sexual abuse; however, this relation did not hold for caregiver reported communication. Child sexual abuse survivors’ ability and decision to discuss sex with their youth has the potential to protect youth from sexual risk and demonstrates resilience among a group rarely acknowledged for positive parenting practices.

KEYWORDS:

• child sexual abuse
• parent–child communication
• HIV prevention
• South Africa
• youth
• parenting
• sexual risk behavior

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to acknowledge Katherine Colmer, Georgia State University; Gillian Sibiya, Namafu Jayiya, and Annemie Stewart, Stellenbosch University; Ina Vermulen, Desiree Uys, Nolitha Lekoma, and Gertrude Gwenzi, Cape Town Child Welfare; Cat Rieper, Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN); Fouzia Rykleft and Marjorie Feni, the Parent Centre; Ndileka Xameni, Anele Ghasana, and Siyabonga Mgwabala, Siyaphambili Orphan Village; Khulani Chiliza, “KC,” LoveLife; and Nomakhosi Magalakanqa, Mbulelo Mapele, and Nokwanda Matanda and the families from Langa who participated in the study for their contributions to this project.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth R. Anthony

Elizabeth R. Anthony, PhD, is a senior research associate at the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University. Her current research focuses on the evaluation of early childhood interventions for young children living in poverty. She received her PhD from Georgia State University in Community Psychology.

Tracy N. Hipp

Tracy N. Hipp, MA, is a doctoral candidate of community psychology at Georgia State University. Her current research focuses on the intersections of sexuality, human rights violations, and sexual assault. She received her MA from Georgia State University in Community Psychology.

Doyanne A. Darnell

Doyanne A. Darnell, PhD, is a National Institutes of Mental Health T32 postdoctoral fellow with the Center for Healthcare Improvement for Addictions, Mental Illness, and Medically Vulnerable Populations (CHAMMP) at the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Her current research focuses on population-based approaches to screening and intervention with victims of rape trauma seeking acute care to address posttraumatic stress disorder and related comorbidities such as depression, suicidality, and risk behaviors (e.g., substance misuse, risky sexual behaviors). She received her PhD from Georgia State University in clinical and community psychology.

Lisa Armistead

Lisa Armistead, PhD, is professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at Georgia State University. Her research focuses on the intersection of HIV and families. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Georgia.

Sarah L. Cook

Sarah L. Cook, PhD, is professor of psychology and associate dean of the Honors College. Her research focuses on how science conceptualizes and measures violence against women, ethical issues in researching it, how to prevent it, and how it intersects with other problems such as HIV/AIDS in South Africa. She received her PhD in community psychology from the University of Virginia.

Donald Skinner

Donald Skinner, PhD, is the director of research on health and society at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University. He focuses on research looking at the social aspects of health with particular interests in HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis prevention and treatment, substance abuse, and violence. He has particular expertise in qualitative and community participatory research approaches.