Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks): Iterative Development of a Sex Communication Video Series for Parents of Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Male Adolescents

Abstract

Effective parent–child sex communication enhances heterosexual youths’ efficacy to engage in health promotive behaviors, yet there is scarce research on parent–child sex communication with gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) sons during adolescence. Our aim is to describe the development of Parents ASSIST, a web-based series of animated videos for parents of GBQ adolescent males focused on (a) parental education about sexual health topics pertinent to this population’s same-sex concerns, (b) modeling of communication skills for parents to broach and sustain inclusive discussions at home, and (c) norming the role of providers as reliable sources of support when parents seek GBQ-related health information. Community-based advisory boards, comprised of parents and health care providers, respectively, informed the intervention development. Based on study notes and the research team’s reflections, we present lessons learned that focus on content-based and logistical challenges that arose during the intervention development process. This study extends practice and patient education by providing an innovative, primary intervention that partners with parents of an underserved youth population.

Families in Transition: The Lived Experience of Parenting a Transgender Child

“…To optimize parents’ support of their transgender children, and understanding of their challenges, health care providers with appropriate understanding of their needs and health disparities are essential. Providing educational materials to parents, such as the Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks) videos shared by recent researchers at the University of Pennsylvania (D. D. Flores et al, 2020), can also be helpful.…”

Parents ASSIST: Acceptability and Feasibility of a Video-Based Educational Series for Sexuality-Inclusive Communication between Parents and Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Sons

“…We worked alongside community members to develop the video series [ 13 ]. The initial framework for the videos was established using recollections from GBQ sons who reported salient issues in parent–child sex communication [ 12 , 44 ]. Using that foundation, advisory groups were formed.…”

A Review of the State of HIV Nursing Science With Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity/Expression Peoples

“…Some SOGI adolescents experience family difficulties that range from parents and siblings expressing disappointment and grief about gender identity and expression to being forced from the home or disowned by the family. Lack of familial acceptance of SOGI adolescents contributes to psychopathology and suicide ( Flores et al, 2020 ).…”

“…We identified two studies focused on the family level. One such study is of a promising intervention in development, Parents Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks, which includes a series of 12 animated videos and a website co-created with community members, focused on inclusive sex communication education and skills for parents of gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males to reduce sexually transmitted infection/HIV risk ( Flores et al, 2020 ). This intervention was co-created in consultation with two advisory groups.…”

“…The other was an interdisciplinary group of nurses and health educators. The intervention has yet to be tested and therefore its effectiveness is unknown ( Flores et al, 2020 ).…”