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Risky sexual behavior: the indirect effects between parent–child relationship quality and quality of life in emerging adults

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Abstract

Purpose

Parent–child relationship quality is an important factor when examining adolescent’s risk for problem behaviors. For this reason, many researchers have explored the impacts of parent–child relationship quality on adolescent and child behavior, yet the parent–child relationship has lasting consequences into adulthood.

Methods

The current study examined the mediating role of risky sexual behavior (as measured by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey) on the relationship between parent–child relationship quality (as measured by the Parental Environment Questionnaire) and quality of life (as measured by the World Health Organizations Quality of Life Questionnaire) beyond adolescence, during emerging adulthood. The additional moderating effects of gender were examined. Participants consisted of 507 undergraduate students (173 males, 334 females) recruited from a large university in the Southern United States between 18 and 25 years of age.

Results

Parent–child relationship quality was positively related to quality of life among both males and females. The indirect pathway from parent–child relationship quality to quality of life, through risky sexual behavior, was significant in females but not in males.

Conclusions

Results suggest that the parent–child relationship, specifically for females, may be a target for intervention in the prevention of risky sexual behavior in Emerging Adulthood. Further results, implications, and limitations were discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 6161, Starkville, MS, 39762, USA

    Erica Szkody, Mary Moussa Rogers & Cliff McKinney

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  1. Erica Szkody
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  2. Mary Moussa Rogers
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  3. Cliff McKinney
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Correspondence to Erica Szkody.

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Szkody, E., Rogers, M.M. & McKinney, C. Risky sexual behavior: the indirect effects between parent–child relationship quality and quality of life in emerging adults. Qual Life Res 27, 2639–2645 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-018-1919-z

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