Consequence-based communication about adolescent romantic experience between parents and adolescents: A qualitative study underpinned by social constructionism

The use of the Multidimensional Condom Attitude Scale in Chinese young adults

Background

Attitude towards condom use is an important predictor of consistent condom use. However, this topic is an understudied area in Chinese populations, and no validated Chinese instrument is available to capture condom attitude. To fill this research gap, the present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Multidimensional Condom Attitudes Scale (MCAS) and assessed the attitudes towards condom use amongst Chinese adults aged 18–29 years old.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 500 people aged 18–29 years old were randomly recruited in Hong Kong. The primary outcome was the attitude towards condom use as measured by the UCLA MCAS. Factor structure, internal construct validity, known-group validity and internal consistency were assessed.

Results

Instead of the five-factor structure designed by the original developers of the MCAS questionnaire, this study proposed a novel six-factor scale: (1) Reliability and Effectiveness, (2) Excitement, (3) Displeasure, (4) Identity Stigma, (5) Embarrassment about Negotiation and (6) Embarrassment about Purchase. The internal construct validity and reliability of the new scale were high. The revised MCAS could differentiate between subgroups, including gender, sexual orientation and sexual experience. In terms of attitudes, over 40% of the participants believed that condoms are not reliable, though the vast majority of the sample did not perceive any stigma related to condom use. In addition, more than half (55.4%) of the respondents felt embarrassed to be seen when buying condoms while a quarter (25.8%) felt uncomfortable buying condoms at all.

Conclusions

Overall, the psychometric analysis found that attitude to condom use is culturally specific. The study also highlighted the need for more public health campaigns and interventions to help people cope with the embarrassment of purchasing condoms.

The Association between Substance Abuse and Sexual Misconduct among Macau Youths

This study investigates how peer influence, school attachment, and substance abuse are related to sexual behavior, with particular interest in exploring the relationship between substance abuse and sexual misconduct, while using a stratified random sample of adolescents in Macau. Mediation analyses were employed. The results show that substance abuse, apart from susceptibility to peer influence and school attachment/commitment, was significantly related to sexual misconduct. Substance abuse was the best predictor of sexual misconduct, and it significantly mediated the relationship between susceptibility to peer influence, as well as school attachment and sexual misconduct. This reflects that the use of substances, including drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, can be viewed as a catalyst for triggering engagement in sexual misconduct. The implications of this study involve taking measures to reduce the rate of substance abuse as a way of decreasing sexual misconduct in adolescents. Future research directions in exploring the relationship between adolescent substance abuse and risky sexual behavior are discussed.

A Qualitative Study of Iranian Parents' Experiences of Interacting With Their Adolescent Children

Introduction: Transition from childhood to adulthood is an important and challenging period for both adolescents and their parents, particularly in societies undergoing development and change. In Iran, cultural and social change is inextricably linked to, and strongly impacts on, family units. Aim: To explore the experiences of parents and the strategies they use in interacting with their adolescent children. Method: Qualitative descriptive research using in-depth interviews was conducted with 23 parents of adolescents in Iran. Transcribed data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Parents used two key approaches to effectively interact with their adolescent children. The first, "transformed parenting" involved the parents changing their parenting style and practices. The second approach, "child orientation" involved the parents trying to control, educate, and guide their child. Implication for transcultural practice: Understanding how parents experience interactions with adolescents in the context of Iranian culture and increasing modernity will guide nurses to foster effective parenting strategies for optimal adolescent development.