Effective Parent Connectedness Components in Sexuality Education Interventions for African American Youth: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

African American youth are at risk for negative sexual behaviors such as early initiation and unplanned pregnancy. The purpose of the article is to identify the effective parent connectedness components in sexuality education interventions solely targeting African American youth. A total of 12 articles were found describing six intervention programs that met inclusion criteria. A summary of each was developed, and commonly used parent connectedness components were identified. In this manner, effective strategies and lessons learned from the research regarding parental connectedness and African American sexual risk reduction could be more clearly discussed. Recommendations for future programming are offered.

KEYWORDS:

• African American youth
• sexuality
• parents
• connectedness
• health education