Parent–Adolescent Sexual Communication and Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors: A Conceptual Model and Systematic Review

Abstract

Parent-adolescent sexual communication can help reduce sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. However, research and theory are less clear regarding the specific pathways (i.e., mechanisms of change) by which this communication works to reduce sexual risk behavior. The current review addresses this gap by proposing a conceptual model describing the processes by which parent-adolescent sexual communication influences adolescents' sexual intentions and behaviors and by conducting a systematic review to locate evidence for this model. Guided by the Integrative Model of Behavioral Change, the proposed conceptual model focuses on the social cognitive pathways that act as explanatory mechanisms of the relations between parent-adolescent sexual communication and adolescents' sexual intentions and behaviors, as well as the characteristics of this communication that determine its effectiveness in influencing these sexual cognitions. Thirtyeight peer-reviewed studies were systematically located and synthesized. Findings showed consistent links between parent-adolescent sexual communication and adolescents' sexual attitudes and safe-sex efficacy (though links with perceived sexual norms were more mixed), which in turn may influence their sexual intentions and behaviors. Evidence also emerged to suggest that the characteristics of the communication itself (e.g., extent, content, quality) may influence its effectiveness over adolescents' sexual cognitions. The identification of these processes advances theory on parent-adolescent sexual communication which has, to date, been unclear regarding these pathways. As such, these findings can inform future research efforts as well as prevention efforts seeking to promote adolescent sexual health.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards abortion among adolescents in Lao PDR

“…Adolescents may not be able to discern accurate from inaccurate information or safe or unsafe practices [30]. Communication with parents and more highly educated mothers was positively associated with attitudes towards safe abortion and confirms the importance of parent-adolescent communication regarding sexuality, reproductive health and skills development [32][33][34][35]. The study also affirms adolescents with sexual experience tend to hold more positive attitudes towards abortion [11,16,30].…”

“…Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education should also be included earlier in the school curricula. The importance of parents being involved in discussions with adolescents should not be understated [30,34]. Many parents however may find sexual conversations with adolescents uncomfortable and healthcare workers or other professionals may be able to help parents develop effective strategies for having sexual conversations with their adolescent children [34].…”

“…The importance of parents being involved in discussions with adolescents should not be understated [30,34]. Many parents however may find sexual conversations with adolescents uncomfortable and healthcare workers or other professionals may be able to help parents develop effective strategies for having sexual conversations with their adolescent children [34]. Also important is working with healthcare providers and community members to identify and reduce any barriers to adolescents accessing family planning services [40].…”

Knowledge of safe sex and sexually transmitted infections among high school students, Vientiane Prefecture, Lao PDR

“…The study showed factors associated with higher knowledge of safe sex were living with people other than parents, studying family planning and belonging to a religion that accepted the use of birth control. While parents may be an important source of information on sexual and reproductive health at some stages of adolescence, living more independently may reflect other opportunities for gaining knowledge and experience in these matters [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41].…”

Effectiveness of the Dual Approach Program to promote sexual abstinence in Thai early female adolescents and improve parent-daughter sexual communication

“…The roles of cultural and societal beliefs and values are emphasized as a key ecological factor in adolescents' risky sexual behaviors [9,18,[30][31][32]. A Thai study [14,33] reported competing influences between traditional parental disapproval and access to western-based pornographic media to be associated with pre-coital behavior, the age of sexual debut and refusal self-efficacy.…”