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Patterns of Sexuality Communication Between Preadolescents and Their Mothers and Fathers

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Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine communication about sexual topics between preadolescents and their mothers and fathers. Participants were 135 African-American mothers, fathers, and their 9- to 12-year-old offspring. Each member of the triad completed a 10-item measure of communication about risk factors for sexual activity, sexual communication, and sexual risk prevention. A majority of parents and their preadolescents reported communication had occurred about most topics. Mothers and fathers were equally likely to communicate with sons whereas mothers were more likely to communicate with daughters than were fathers. Based on the study results, preadolescence may be the optimal time for parents to provide sexual risk prevention messages to their children before sexual behaviors are initiated.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by Cooperative Agreement U64\CCU417720 from the CDC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sarah C. Wyckoff, Kim S. Miller & Amy Fasula

  2. Psychology Department, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA

    Rex Forehand

  3. Institute for Behavioral Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    J. J. Bau

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA

    Nicholas Long

  5. Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Lisa Armistead

Authors
  1. Sarah C. Wyckoff
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  2. Kim S. Miller
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  3. Rex Forehand
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  4. J. J. Bau
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  5. Amy Fasula
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  6. Nicholas Long
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  7. Lisa Armistead
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Correspondence to Rex Forehand.

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Wyckoff, S.C., Miller, K.S., Forehand, R. et al. Patterns of Sexuality Communication Between Preadolescents and Their Mothers and Fathers. J Child Fam Stud 17, 649–662 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-007-9179-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-007-9179-5

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