Social Cognitive factors Associated with Mother-Adolescent Communication About Sex

Abstract

Abstract:To better understand why some mothers talk to their children about sex and others do not, we examined the role of two social cognitive variables-self-efficacy and outcome expectancies-in explaining sex-based communication. The present study was part of a larger study to test the efficacy of two HIV prevention programs for mothers and their adolescents. Mothers and their adolescents were recruited from a large community organization that serves youth who live in disadvantaged circumstances. The sample for the present study included 486 mothers who averaged 38.4 years of age (SD = 6.73). The majority were African American (97.7%), not married (66.7%), and had a high school degree (89.5%). Their adolescents ranged in age from 11 through 14 years of age and most were male (61.3%). The results of the analysis revealed that mothers who expressed higher levels of self-efficacy and more favorable outcomes associated with talking to their children about sex were more likely to do so. In a regression analysis, we learned that the mother's degree of efficacy beliefs, along with her expected outcomes associated with talking about sex, the importance of religious beliefs to her, and the age and sex of her adolescents were important factors associated with talking with them about sex.

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

“…Previous research consistently shows a positive association between parents' sexual communication knowledge, skill, and confidence and the likelihood, frequency, and number of topics covered in parent-child sex discussions (DiIorio et al 1996(DiIorio et al , 2000Dutra et al 1999;Jaccard et al 2000;Miller et al 1998a;Pluhar et al 2006). These findings are consistent with social cognitive theory (SCT) (Bandura 1989), which predicts that knowledge, skill, and confidence (or behavioral capability and self-efficacy) for engaging in a behavior increases the likelihood that a person will in fact engage in the behavior.…”

“…These findings are consistent with social cognitive theory (SCT) (Bandura 1989), which predicts that knowledge, skill, and confidence (or behavioral capability and self-efficacy) for engaging in a behavior increases the likelihood that a person will in fact engage in the behavior. In addition, parents' embarrassment and lack of comfort in talking to their children about sexual topics is a barrier to such discussions (DiIorio et al 1996(DiIorio et al , 2000Dutra et al 1999;Jaccard et al 2000;Miller et al 1998a;Pluhar et al 2006). This constellation of knowledge, comfort, skills, and confidence has been referred to as parental responsiveness in communicating (Dutra et al 1999;Fasula and Miller 2006;Kotchick et al 1999;Whitaker et al 1999).…”

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

“…Some common barriers include the perception that it is not parents' responsibility to communicate with children about sexuality [17], or that others-such as schoolteacherswill provide sex education [19,21]; fear that talking to children about sexual issues will encourage sexual activity [17]; and the perception that their children are not ready [22] or too young [17] to receive information about sexual issues. In addition, several common barriers to communication link directly to parental responsiveness, including embarrassment [17,23] or discomfort [21] in discussing sexual issues and apprehension about their children's response to such discussion [22,24]; lack of confidence in their own ability to communicate with their children about sexuality [25]; and lack of knowledge or skills to conduct such discussions [23]. Reciprocally, aspects of parental responsiveness are frequently found to be facilitators of communication, including confidence in one's ability to talk with children about sexual issues [25,26], and greater skill and comfort in communicating [27].…”

“…In addition, several common barriers to communication link directly to parental responsiveness, including embarrassment [17,23] or discomfort [21] in discussing sexual issues and apprehension about their children's response to such discussion [22,24]; lack of confidence in their own ability to communicate with their children about sexuality [25]; and lack of knowledge or skills to conduct such discussions [23]. Reciprocally, aspects of parental responsiveness are frequently found to be facilitators of communication, including confidence in one's ability to talk with children about sexual issues [25,26], and greater skill and comfort in communicating [27].…”

Percepção dos adolescentes acerca da influência dos pais e pares nos seus comportamentos sexuais

“…Vários estudos sugerem que quando os pais que se percepcionam como possuindo os conhecimentos necessários acerca destas temáticas e as competências comunicacionais para o fazer apresentam uma maior probabilidade de conversar com os seus filhos (Dilorio, Resnicow, Dudley et al, 2000). Estas questões são importantes para desenvolver intervenções quando se pretende promover a comunicação entre pais e filhos em questões sexuais.…”