Barriers and Facilitators to Maternal Communication with Preadolescents about Age-Relevant Sexual Topics

Abstract

The present study examined factors that promote parent-child discussions about sex topics. A sample of 1,066 dyads of African American mothers and their 9-12-year-old children participated completing computer-administered surveys. After controlling for all other covariates, mother's sexual communication responsiveness (i.e., knowledge, comfort, skills, and confidence) was the most consistent predictor of discussions. Mothers with higher responsiveness had significantly increased odds of discussions about abstinence, puberty, and reproduction, based on both mother and child reports. In addition, child's age, pubertal development, readiness to learn about sex, and being female were positively associated with an increase in the odds of discussions in most models. Findings indicate that encouraging parents to talk with their children early may not be sufficient to promote parent-child sex discussions. Parents also need the knowledge, comfort, skills, and confidence to communicate effectively and keep them from avoiding these often difficult and emotional conversations with their children.

Factors Associated with Parent–Child Communication About HIV/AIDS in the United States and Kenya: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

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Adolescents' Reports of Communication With Their Parents About Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Birth Control: 1988, 1995, and 2002

“…Past research has shown that mothers talk to teens about sex more than fathers, daughters are more likely to be the targets of sexual communication, and communication about sexual topics is more effective if it takes place before teens engage in sexual activity. It is important that parents should be open and comfortable while talking to their teens [16,[19][20][21][22].…”

Predictors of Adolescent Sexual Intentions and Behavior: Attitudes, Parenting, and Neighborhood Risk

“…Sexual risk communication varies in frequency and content depending on the age of the child. A study by Miller et al chose to examine barriers to communication in preadolescents (9-12 years old) based on the finding that sexual activity increases with age, and characterized of early sexual initiation as sex prior to age 13 (Miller, Fasula, Dittus, Wiegand, Wyckoff, & McNair, 2009). The authors found that the mother's responsiveness (i.e.…”