Predictors of Caregiver Communication About Reproductive and Sexual Health and Sensitive Sex Topics

Abstract

Numerous studies examining parent–teen communication about sex (PTCS) have focused on reproductive and sexual health information (i.e., pregnancy, physical development, contraception), with significantly fewer addressing communication about sensitive sex topics (i.e., sexual pleasure, masturbation). This study compares predictors of communication about reproductive and sexual health to those of sensitive sex topics with early adolescents. Participants were 465 rural caregivers and their African American youth. Positive attitudes and self-efficacy for PTCS, open communication style, and older youth age predicted caregiver reports of communication about reproductive and sexual health topics. Open communication style and self-efficacy for PTCS predicted caregiver reports of communication about sensitive sex topics. For youth, only older age and being female predicted communication about reproductive and sexual health, while only being female predicted communication about sensitive sex topics. This study may inform interventions that seek to increase PTCS by highlighting strategies for improving communication about both reproductive and sensitive sex topics.