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Brisson J, Volesky-Avellaneda KD. Internet-Based Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Colombian Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study. HISPANIC HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL 2024; 22:150-159. [PMID: 38613383 PMCID: PMC11367147 DOI: 10.1177/15404153241246102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a sensitive subject, and young people may be unfamiliar with how to access SRH services. In this cross-sectional study, we examined young people's internet use to understand how they accessed SRH clinics in Colombia. This study also explored Colombian youth's interest in online material teaching how to access SRH services. Methods: During August 2019-February 2020, patients aged 10-24 years old presenting at two SRH clinics in Colombia were invited to answer a survey. Chi-square tests were performed to assess possible differences in how participants inquired how to access the clinic according to sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Among the 812 patients who participated, 91.4% were female and the median age was 19 years. To inquire how to access the SRH clinic, 30.7% of participants asked their parent(s) and 24.0% used the internet. Participants aged 20-24 years old were more likely to use the internet compared to younger participants (p < .001). Most respondents (81.5%) were interested in the availability of online material explaining how to access SRH services. Conclusions: While Colombian youth learned about how to access SRH clinics from several different sources, the vast majority indicated their interest in having access to online materials explaining how to access SRH services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Brisson
- Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karena D Volesky-Avellaneda
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Laporte H, Eggermont S. Watching Televised Counter-Stereotypes Alone or with Mom: Studying the Effects on Preadolescents' Gender Attitudes and Beliefs. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024:1-21. [PMID: 39158489 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2392702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite the dominant presence of traditional gender portrayals on television, there is a growing effort to incorporate more diverse gender representations, including in youth television series. The impact of such counter-stereotypical portrayals on preadolescents' gender attitudes and beliefs remains largely unexplored. This mixed-design experimental study among 75 mother-child dyads (Mage child = 10.69, SD = 1.37) examined the effects of watching an episode of an entertainment television program that positively portrays a transgender character, either alone or with the mother. The findings indicated that watching the episode lowered preadolescents' gender essentialism, but did not increase acceptability of and willingness to befriend gender-nonconforming peers. Maternal presence did not further impact the findings. Perceived similarity to and liking of the transgender character did not act as moderators, but had a direct impact on preadolescents' gender attitudes and beliefs. In conclusion, the results suggest that exposure to counter-stereotypes in entertainment television can influence components of preadolescents' gender attitudes and beliefs. Gender-diverse television characters who are perceived as highly similar and likeable appear to be particularly influential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Laporte
- Media Psychology Lab, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Eggermont
- Media Psychology Lab, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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McCrimmon J, Widman L, Brasileiro J. Adolescent Barriers to Sexual Communication with Their Parents: Differences by Sexual and Gender Identity. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38905151 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2362899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Parent-adolescent sexual communication has important health benefits for adolescents, yet not all families openly communicate about sex. In particular, adolescents often report various barriers to engaging in sexual communication with their parents. The purpose of this study was to address gaps in past research by examining barriers to communication with both mothers and fathers, separately, as well as to explore the unique barriers to communication among queer and trans adolescents. Participants were recruited via Instagram (n = 566; Mage = 16.0; 57.6% cisgender girls; 41.4% heterosexual). The most endorsed barrier to communicating with mothers was the adolescent believing they already knew enough about sexual topics. The most endorsed barrier for communicating with fathers was embarrassment. The least endorsed barriers included mother's lack of knowledge, and perceptions of anger from fathers when discussing sexuality. Several differences emerged by sexual and gender identity: cisgender girls and trans adolescents tended to agree more with barriers to communication with parents compared to cisgender boys. Additionally, queer adolescents tended to agree more with barriers to communication with parents than their heterosexual peers, although group differences depended on the particular barrier. These findings highlight specific barriers to parent-adolescent sexual communication faced by various groups of youth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Widman
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University
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Muhammad M, Tumin D. Parent Gender and Assessment of Children's Health. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024; 63:334-340. [PMID: 37148277 DOI: 10.1177/00099228231172669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Caregiver-reported data on children's health are typically provided by mothers. We investigated whether measures of children's health would significantly differ between mother and father respondents to a nationally representative survey. This study used de-identified data on children age 0 to 17 years from the 2016-2019 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). The primary exposure was whether the survey was completed by the child's father (cases) or mother (controls). Outcome variables included general health, special health care needs (SHCN), and unmet health care needs. We identified 85 191 children meeting inclusion criteria, of whom 35.1% had a father respondent. After propensity score matching, 27 738 children with a father respondent were matched to an equal size group of children with a mother respondent. On conditional logistic regression analysis of the matched sample, we found that poor health, SHCN, and unmet health care needs were less likely to be reported for children in the sample by father respondents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mufida Muhammad
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Dmitry Tumin
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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Grossman JM, Richer AM, DeSouza LM, Brinkhaus J, Ragonese C. The "what" and "how" of father-teen talks about sex and relationships. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY : JFP : JOURNAL OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (DIVISION 43) 2024; 38:260-269. [PMID: 38032651 PMCID: PMC10922493 DOI: 10.1037/fam0001176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
For adolescents who have a father in their lives, father-teen conversations about sex and relationships can protect teens from risky sexual behaviors. However, little is known about the content and process of these conversations. This study explored topics of and approaches to fathers' talk with their teens about sex and relationships in interviews with a diverse sample of 43 fathers of high school-aged adolescents from across the United States. Interview data were analyzed using content analysis. The results showed how fathers talked with their adolescent children about topics of sexual behavior, risks of sex, dating and relationships, as well as less studied areas of diverse sexual and gender identities and consent, and how these conversations differed with male and female teens. Findings also showed that fathers took multiple approaches to talk about sex, including personal talk, talk about friends and family, and use of media and other distal contexts to start conversations. These findings show how fathers contribute to the sexual socialization of their adolescent children and suggest points of access for fathers who are unsure how to approach talk with their teens about sex and relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Bibby ES, Choukas-Bradley S, Widman L, Turpyn C, Prinstein MJ, Telzer EH. A longitudinal assessment of adolescents' sexual communication with parents, best friends, and dating partners. Dev Psychol 2023; 59:1300-1314. [PMID: 37199922 PMCID: PMC10349593 DOI: 10.1037/dev0001556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Sexual health communication in adolescence is important for sexual well-being. With limited empirical work utilizing longitudinal methodologies, this study aimed to investigate how the frequency of sexual communication with parents, peers, and dating partners changes across adolescence and varies based on sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Participants included 886 U.S. adolescents (54.4% females; 45.9% White, 22.6% Hispanic/Latinx, 21.6% Black/African American) surveyed yearly from middle school through 12th grade. Growth curve models were used to estimate trajectories of the frequency in communication. Results showed curvilinear trajectories for adolescents' sexual communication with their parents, best friends, and dating partners over time. Although all three trajectories showed curvilinear patterns, sexual communication with parents and best friends increased earlier in adolescence and leveled off, while sexual communication with dating partners was lower in early adolescence and showed a steep increase across adolescence. Communication trajectories significantly diverged depending on adolescents' sex and race/ethnicity but not their sexual orientation. This study provides the first evidence of developmental changes over time in adolescent sexual communication with parents, best friends, and dating partners. Developmental implications for adolescents' sexual decision making are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Widman
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University
| | - Caitlin Turpyn
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Mitchell J. Prinstein
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Eva H. Telzer
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Parker AE, Scull TM, Kennedy KL. Efficacy of DigiKnowItNews: Teen, a multimedia educational website for adolescents about pediatric clinical trials: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:436. [PMID: 37391773 PMCID: PMC10311873 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07464-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric research is crucial for the development of new scientific advancements, treatments, and therapies for adolescents. Yet relatively few pediatric clinical trials are conducted due to barriers to successful recruitment and retention, including knowledge and attitudes about clinical trials. Adolescents tend to experience greater autonomy to make decisions and have expressed interest in being part of the decision to participate in clinical trials. Increasing knowledge, positive attitudes, and self-efficacy related to clinical trials could positively impact the decision to participate in a pediatric clinical trial. However, there are currently few interactive, developmentally appropriate, web-based resources available to educate adolescents about clinical trials. DigiKnowItNews: Teen was created as a multimedia educational website to address the relatively low levels of enrollment in pediatric clinical trials and need for information to empower adolescents to make decisions about participating in clinical trials. METHODS This is a parallel group randomized controlled superiority trial to test the effectiveness of DigiKnowItNews: Teen, for improving factors related to clinical trial participation among adolescent and parents. Eligible parent-adolescent (ages 12 to 17 years) pairs will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: intervention or wait-list control. All participants will complete pre- and post-test questionnaires and participants assigned to the intervention will receive access to review the DigiKnowItNews: Teen content for 1 week. Wait-list control participants will have the option to review DigiKnowItNews: Teen after study completion. The primary outcomes are knowledge about clinical research, attitudes, and beliefs toward pediatric clinical trials, self-efficacy for making decisions related to clinical trial participation, willingness to participate in a future clinical trial, procedural fears, and parent-adolescent communication quality. Overall feedback and satisfaction related to DigiKnowItNews: Teen will also be collected. DISCUSSION The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of DigiKnowIt News: Teen, an educational website about pediatric clinical trials for adolescents. If found effective in promoting factors related to future pediatric clinical trial participation, DigiKnowIt News: Teen could be used by adolescents, along with their parents, as they make the decision to participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trial researchers can also use DigiKnowIt News: Teen to aid their participant recruitment efforts. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05714943. Registered on 02/03/2023.
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Attitudes of parents in the role of a father in Turkey toward child sex education and their sexual communication with their children. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 69:e105-e113. [PMID: 36585347 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of parents in the role of a father in Turkey toward child sex education and their sexual communication with their children. METHODS This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with the fathers of children in the pediatric outpatient clinic at a state hospital between December 30, 2021, and April 15, 2022. The study was reported based on STROBE. The data were collected from 297 fathers using the Descriptive Information Form, the Attitudes Scale Toward Sex education (ASTSE), and the Sexual Communication Scale for Parents(SCSP). RESULTS Sample statistics demonstrate that 67.7% of the participants did not receive sex education in their childhood, and 57.4% stated that their children received sex education only from their mothers. Higher attitudes toward sexual education were found in the fathers with a university or higher education degree (χ2 = 15.396; p < 0.01), and those giving sex education to their children (χ2 = 18.388;p < 0.001). Higher total scores were obtained on the sexual communication scale by fathers with university and higher education degrees (χ2 = 12.898;p < 0.01) and those who received sex education in their childhood (t = 2.330;p = 0.021). There is a highly significant positive correlation between the mean scores of the role of a parent subscale of the ASTSE and the mean total score of the SCSP (r = 0.81;p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There is a positive correlation between fathers' parental role attitudes toward sex education and their sexual communication with their children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Supporting fathers' sexual communication with their children can positively affect fathers' attitudes and communication toward sex education.
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Dodson CV, Scull T, Schoemann AM. A Six-Month Outcome Evaluation of Media Aware Parent, a Parent-Based Media Mediation and Sexual Health Communication Program to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2022; 27:825-838. [PMID: 36632043 PMCID: PMC10080721 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2165741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sustained effects of a web-based program for parents of adolescents designed to help them engage in media mediation and high-quality parent-adolescent communication about sex, relationships, and media. A randomized control trial was conducted with parent-adolescent pairs (n=375 pairs). Adolescents were in 7th-9th grade. Pairs were randomly assigned to either the intervention Media Aware Parent or active control (medically accurate adolescent sexual health information). This study analyzed the impact of Media Aware Parent 6 months after pretest. Several outcomes significant at one-month posttest were sustained at 6 months, including enhanced parents' media-related cognitions (e.g. media skepticism) and adolescent awareness of family media rules. Parents' reports of restrictive media mediation and adolescents' reports of their parent engaging in supportive parenting, which were not significant at posttest, emerged as significant at 6 months, signifying that the program resulted in changes in parent behavior and the parent-adolescent relationship over time. The impact of the program on parent-adolescent communication quality and adolescent sexual health and media-related outcomes diminished over time, suggesting the need for program boosters to encourage parents to continue engaging in high-quality conversations with their adolescent children about sex, relationships, and media.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tracy Scull
- innovation Research & Training, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Cabral P, Wallander JL, Elliott MN, Schuster MA. Longitudinal associations of parent-child communication, dating behaviors, decision-making processes, and sex initiation among United States Latina/o adolescents. Front Psychol 2022; 13:897311. [PMID: 36033077 PMCID: PMC9413066 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study examined differences and identified developmental predictors of oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse initiation across generational status among Latina/o adolescents of both genders. More specifically, we compare generational status and gender differences in the longitudinal predictions from parent-child sex communication and dating behaviors to sex initiation 5 years later, and how these associations may be mediated by perceived peer norms, intentions, and attitudes regarding sex among Latina/o adolescents. Methods Using prospective longitudinal data from the Healthy Passages™ project collected in Houston and Los Angeles, Latina/o girls (n = 879) and boys (n = 885) who were identified as 1st- (18%), 2nd- (58%), or 3rd (24%)-immigrant generational status reported on their dating behaviors and parent-child communication about sex at 5th grade (M age = 11.12 years), their perceived peer norms and attitudes regarding sex at 7th grade (M age = 13.11 years), and if they had initiated oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse by 10th grade (M age = 16.06 years). Results Third-generation Latina girls were more likely than 1st- and 2nd-generation Latinas to have initiated sexual intercourse by 10th grade. More advanced dating behaviors in 5th grade had a positive association with sex initiation for all generational status groups among Latino boys, but only among 1st-generation Latina girls. Moreover, mediating decision-making processes of peer norms and attitudes differed for each group. Conclusion Pre-adolescent dating behaviors are associated with long-term differences in adolescents' sexual behaviors, which may point to targets for prevention efforts. Acculturation differences may contribute to different ways in which adolescents decide to engage in sexual intercourse based on the previous dating experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cabral
- Department of Psychology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jan L. Wallander
- Psychological Sciences and Health Sciences Research Center, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | | | - Mark A. Schuster
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, United States
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Grossman J, Jones C, Richer A. "I put it all out there. I have nothing to hide. It's my mom": Parents' and Emerging Adults' Perspectives on Family Talk about Sex. SEX EDUCATION 2022; 23:449-463. [PMID: 37346469 PMCID: PMC10281721 DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2022.2062591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Protective effects of talk with parents about sex, for delaying sex and reducing young people's risky sexual behaviour may extend from adolescence to emerging adulthood. However, little is known about the content and process of this communication, or how parents and their emerging adult children perceive their conversations about sex and relationships. This study offers a novel exploration of family talk about sex during emerging adulthood and addresses topics that are not typically assessed as part of communication research, such as consent and positive talk about sexuality. This study uses thematic analysis to investigate perceptions of family talk about sex in a qualitative sample of 16 pairs of parents and their emerging adult children in the USA, and includes talk about protection, sexual behaviour, pregnancy and parenting; the positive aspects of sex; consent; and sexual orientation. Findings identified variation across topics in terms of 1) similarities and differences in parents' and emerging adults' comfort in talking with each other about sexual topics; and 2) how they perceive this communication across a range of sexual issues. Findings can inform the development of resources to support parents on how to talk with their emerging adult children about sexual issues in a developmentally appropriate way.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charnell Jones
- Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amanda Richer
- Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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Moving from Needs Assessment to Intervention: Fathers' Perspectives on Their Needs and Support for Talk with Teens about Sex. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063315. [PMID: 35329002 PMCID: PMC8953216 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Talk with fathers about sex and relationships can support teens' health, but its impact is limited as few fathers talk with their teens about sexual issues. Needs assessment and fathers' input on intervention content and structure can guide the development of programs that support fathers' health-promoting talk with their teen children about sex and relationships. In the present study, we explored fathers' goals in their talk with teens about sex and relationships and barriers they perceive to these conversations, as well as what they would look for in an intervention program. Content analysis was conducted using interviews in the U.S. with 43 fathers of high school-aged teens (age 14-18). Themes explored fathers' roles in talk with teens, key messages to teens, and approaches and barriers to conversations, in addition to attitudes toward an intervention, and feedback on intervention structure, content, and process. The findings suggest that fathers see talk with teens about sex as part of their roles, but face challenges in accomplishing this goal. Fathers' feedback highlights their openness to an intervention and can guide the development of a peer-based and interactive program that addresses how to talk with teens about sex in addition to the content of these conversations.
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Scull TM, Dodson CV, Geller JG, Reeder LC, Stump KN. A Media Literacy Education Approach to High School Sexual Health Education: Immediate Effects of Media Aware on Adolescents' Media, Sexual Health, and Communication Outcomes. J Youth Adolesc 2022; 51:708-723. [PMID: 35113295 PMCID: PMC8811737 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Media may function as sex educators for adolescents; unfortunately, media messages often glamorize risky sexual behaviors and unhealthy relationships and neglect sexual health behaviors and communication. Media Aware is a web-based comprehensive sexual health program for high school students that uses a media literacy education approach. It is designed to improve adolescents’ critical thinking about media messages and provide medically-accurate information and skills building related to sexual health and communication. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2019-2020 with students (grades 9 and 10; n = 590) from 17 high schools across the United States. The sample was 53% female, 58% white/Caucasian; and 13% Hispanic/Latinx. One high school teacher per school and all of their 9th and 10th grade students were randomly assigned to either the intervention or delayed-intervention (control) condition. The study assessed the immediate (posttest) and short-term (3-month) effects of Media Aware on adolescents’ media, sexual health, and communication outcomes. For 9 of the 17 schools, students were home from school due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic during the time of their 3-month data collection, which left the short-term analyses underpowered. However, several impacts of the program were found in the immediate posttest analyses. Media Aware was found to improve sexual health knowledge and redress inaccurate normative beliefs about the frequency of risky teen sex. Media Aware also improved critical thinking about media messages with demonstrated improvements in media message deconstruction skills and decreases in the perceived realism of media messages. Moderator analyses found some differential immediate effects of the program attributable to gender. Media Aware reduced girls’ normative beliefs about teen sex, generally, and increased their sexual health communication with parents as well as reduced boys’ acceptance of dating violence. Students gave positive feedback about Media Aware, especially related to the online format of the program. The results from this study provide evidence that Media Aware is an effective web-based program for positively enhancing high school students’ media, sexual health, and sexual health communication outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Scull
- Innovation Research & Training, 5316 Highgate Drive, Suite 125, Durham, NC, 27713, USA.
| | - Christina V Dodson
- Innovation Research & Training, 5316 Highgate Drive, Suite 125, Durham, NC, 27713, USA
| | - Jacob G Geller
- Innovation Research & Training, 5316 Highgate Drive, Suite 125, Durham, NC, 27713, USA
| | - Liz C Reeder
- Innovation Research & Training, 5316 Highgate Drive, Suite 125, Durham, NC, 27713, USA
| | - Kathryn N Stump
- Innovation Research & Training, 5316 Highgate Drive, Suite 125, Durham, NC, 27713, USA
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14
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What One Gets Is Not Always What One Wants-Young Adults' Perception of Sexuality Education in Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031366. [PMID: 35162388 PMCID: PMC8834747 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
There is a discrepancy between the educational needs and the opportunities to obtain reliable knowledge about sexuality in adolescence. This study aimed to assess the conjunctive influence of family and school in shaping this knowledge. METHODS Data were collected retrospectively within a cross-sectional survey conducted in Poland in 2017 (18-26 yrs; N = 595). The respondents' experiences in terms of the presence and quality of sexuality education (SE) at school and in conversations with parents about related issues were considered. RESULTS Of all the respondents, 31.1% had no sexuality education classes in school or rated them as useless, 41.5% never discussed sexuality-related topics with parents and both were true for 17.6%. Puberty and contraception were most frequently discussed with parents, while sexual pleasure and masturbation were discussed least frequently. The diversity of topics taken up with parents and the possibility of discussions with mothers turned out to be the most important factors for shaping adolescents' knowledge. A relationship with the quality of sexuality education at school was additionally revealed for girls, while a relationship with talking to fathers was revealed for boys. CONCLUSIONS Schools and families should work together to strengthen proper sexual development by meeting adolescents' needs in the field of their knowledge on human sexuality.
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Grossman JM, DeSouza LM, Richer AM, Lynch AD. Father-Teen Talks about Sex and Teens' Sexual Health: The Role of Direct and Indirect Communication. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9760. [PMID: 34574683 PMCID: PMC8471207 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Family talks about sex can protect against teens' risky sexual behavior, but most research has focused on the role of mothers. The current study included cross-sectional survey data from 728 adolescents in the 11th and 12th grades (Mage = 17.00, SD = 0.90) in the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess associations between teens' direct and indirect talk, defined as less straightforward ways to communicate one's sexual values, with fathers about sex, and teens' sexual behaviors. There were no significant direct associations between father-teen talk about sex and teens' sexual behavior. However, teen gender moderated associations between indirect father-teen communication and teens' sexual behavior. The results suggest the need to assess indirect talk about sex in studies of family sexuality communication and to further investigate the role of teens' identities in determining the influence of father-teen talk about sex on teens' sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Grossman
- Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Lisette M. DeSouza
- Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Amanda M. Richer
- Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.M.R.)
| | - Alicia D. Lynch
- Lynch Research Associates, 41 Oakland Street Ext, Natick, MA 01760, USA;
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