Abstract
Although parents of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents play a critical role in communicating about sexual health to their children, most parents have reported that they are unknowledgeable and uncomfortable talking about sexual health to their SGM adolescent. Because of the limited availability of sex education programs for parents of SGM adolescents, the study aimed to (1) describe the attitudes toward using and willingness to use a hypothetical online sex communication intervention for parents of SGM adolescents and (2) examine factors associated with willingness to use such an intervention. Parents of SGM adolescents from across the United States (N = 385) completed an online survey from March 10–16, 2023. Most participants were open to participating in a hypothetical online sex communication program and had positive attitudes toward it. Logistic regression results showed that participants who overall agreed a hypothetical online parent-based sex education intervention would be helpful and of interest had higher odds of being overall willing to participate in such a hypothetical intervention. Additionally, participants with higher income levels were also more likely to be willing to participate in a hypothetical program. Results from this exploratory study suggest that most parents of SGM adolescents have positive attitudes toward a hypothetical online parent-based sex education program and are willing to participate in it, highlighting a need to develop sex education programs tailored to the needs and preferences of parents of SGM adolescents. Additionally, equitable access to such programs is necessary especially regarding income level.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Dhahir, I., Reijnders, T., Faber, J. S., van den Berg-Emons, R. J., Janssen, V. R., Kraaijenhagen, R. A., Visch, V. T., Chavannes, N. H., & Evers, A. W. (2022). The barriers and facilitators of eHealth-based lifestyle intervention programs for people with a low socioeconomic status: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(8). https://doi.org/10.2196/34229
Barnett, A. P., Brown, L. K., Crosby, R., Craker, L., Washington, R., Burns, P. A., & Mena, L. A. (2023). Family-related factors and HIV-related outcomes among black young men who have sex with men in Mississippi. AIDS and Behavior, 27(5), 1548–1563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03889-x
Benson, P. A., & Hergenroeder, A. C. (2005). Bacterial sexually transmitted infections in gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents: Medical and public health perspectives. Seminars in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 16(3), 181–191. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.spid.2005.04.007
Bishop, M. D., Mallory, A. B., Gessner, M., Frost, D. M., & Russell, S. T. (2020). School-based sexuality education experiences across three generations of sexual minority people. Journal of Sex Research, 58(5), 648–658. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2020.1767024
Bouris, A., Hill, B. J., Fisher, K., Erickson, G., & Schneider, J. A. (2015). Mother–son communication about sex and routine human immunodeficiency virus testing among younger men of color who have sex with men. Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(5), 515–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.07.007
Catallozzi, M., de Roche, A. M., Hu, M. C., Breitkopf, C. R., Chang, J., Ipp, L. S., Francis, J. K. R., & Rosenthal, S. L. (2017). Adolescent and parent willingness to participate in microbicide safety studies. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 30(1), 82–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2016.06.009
Charmaraman, L., Grossman, J. M., & Richer, A. M. (2021). Same-sex attraction disclosure and sexual communication topics within families. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 17(2), 118–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428X.2020.1820414
Erves, J. C., Mayo-Gamble, T. L., Hull, P. C., Duke, L., & Miller, S. T. (2017). Adolescent participation in HPV vaccine clinical trials: Are parents willing? Journal of Community Health, 42, 894–901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-017-0331-x
Everett, B. G., Turner, B., Hughes, T. L., Veldhuis, C. B., Paschen-Wolff, M., & Phillips, G. (2013). Sexual orientation disparities in sexually transmitted infections: Examining the intersection between sexual identity and sexual behavior. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42, 225–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-9902-1
Everett, B. G., Turner, B., Hughes, T. L., Veldhuis, C. B., Paschen-Wolff, M., & Phillips II, G. (2019). Sexual orientation disparities in pregnancy risk behaviors and pregnancy among sexually active teenage girls: updates from the youth risk behavior survey. LGBT Health, 6(7), 342–349. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2018.0206
Fareed, N., Jonnalagadda, P., Swoboda, C. M., Samineni, P., Griesenbrock, T., & Huerta, T. (2021). Socioeconomic factors influence health information seeking and trust over time: Evidence from a cross-sectional, pooled analyses of HINTS data. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(8), 1084–1094. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171211018135
Feinstein, B. A., Thomann, M., Coventry, R., Macapagal, K., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2018). Gay and bisexual adolescent boys’ perspectives on parent–adolescent relationships and parenting practices related to teen sex and dating. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47, 1825–1837. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-1057-7
Fletcher, F. E., Fisher, C., Buchberg, M. K., Floyd, B., Hotton, A., Ehioba, A., & Donenberg, G. (2018). “Where did this [PrEP] come from?” African American mother/daughter perceptions related to adolescent preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) utilization and clinical trial participation. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 13(2), 173–184. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556264618755919
Flores, D., Docherty, S. L., Relf, M. V., McKinney, R. E., & Barroso, J. V. (2019). “It’s almost like gay sex doesn’t exist”: Parent-child sex communication according to gay, bisexual, and queer male adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 34(5), 528–562. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558418757464
Flores, D. D., Docherty, S. L., Relf, M. V., McKinney, R. E., & Barroso, J. V. (2021). Parents ASSIST: Acceptability and feasibility of a video-based educational series for sexuality-inclusive communication between parents and gay, bisexual, and queer sons. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 379. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010379
Flores, D. D., Meanley, S. P., Wood, S. M., & Bauermeister, J. A. (2020a). Family characteristics in sex communication and social support: Implications for emerging adult men who have sex with men’s PrEP engagement. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49, 2145–2153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01648-4
Flores, D. D., Rosario, A. A., Bond, K. T., Villarruel, A. M., & Bauermeister, J. A. (2020b). Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks): Iterative development of a sex communication video series for parents of gay, bisexual, and queer male adolescents. Journal of Family Nursing, 26(2), 90–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1074840719897905
Garofalo, R., Mustanski, B., & Donenberg, G. (2008). Parents know and parents matter; is it time to develop family-based HIV prevention programs for young men who have sex with men? Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(2), 201–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.01.017
Gelles-Watnick, R. (2024, January 31). Americans' use of mobile technology and home broadband. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/
Goldberg, S. K., Reese, B. M., & Halpern, C. T. (2016). Teen pregnancy among sexual minority women: Results from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(4), 429–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.05.009
Grant, M. J., Carter, K., Hoffman, M., Hubach, R. D., & Owens, C. (2023). Parent-reported HIV prevention communication topics with sexual and gender minority adolescents: A descriptive study. American Journal of Sexuality Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2023.2233418
Hall, W. J., Jones, B. L., Witkemper, K. D., Collins, T. L., & Rodgers, G. K. (2019). State policy on school-based sex education: A content analysis focused on sexual behaviors, relationships, and identities. American Journal of Health Behavior, 43(3), 506–519. https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.43.3.6
Hengst, T. M., Lechner, L., Dohmen, D., & Bolman, C. A. (2023). The facilitators and barriers of mHealth adoption and use among people with a low socio-economic position: A scoping review. Digital Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231198702
Huebner, D. M., Barnett, A. P., Baucom, B. R., & Guilamo-Ramos, V. (2023). Effects of a parent-focused HIV prevention intervention for young men who have sex with men: A pilot randomized clinical trial. AIDS and Behavior, 27(5), 1502–1513. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03885-1
Kann, L., Olsen, E. O. M., McManus, T., Kinchen, S., Chyen, D., Harris, W. A., & Wechsler, H. (2016). Sexual identity, sex of sexual contacts, and health-related behaviors among students in grades 9–12—United States and selected sites. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report., 65(9), 1–202.
LaSala, M. C. (2007). Parental influence, gay youths, and safer sex. Health & Social Work, 32(1), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/32.1.49
LaSala, M. C. (2015). Condoms and connection: Parents, gay and bisexual youth, and HIV risk. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41(4), 451–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12088
LaSala, M. C., Fedor, J. P., Revere, E. J., & Carney, R. (2016). What parents and their gay and bisexual sons say about HIV prevention. Qualitative Health Research, 26(11), 1519–1530. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315604588
Lyles, C. R., Nguyen, O. K., Khoong, E. C., Aguilera, A., & Sarkar, U. (2023). Multilevel determinants of digital health equity: A literature synthesis to advance the field. Annual Review of Public Health, 44, 383–405. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-071521-023913
Mustanski, B., Macapagal, K., Thomann, M., Feinstein, B. A., Newcomb, M. E., Motley, D., & Fisher, C. B. (2018). Parents’ perspectives about adolescent boys’ involvement in biomedical HIV prevention research. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(7), 1923–1935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-1035-0
Nelson, K. M., Pantalone, D. W., & Carey, M. P. (2019). Sexual health education for adolescent males who are interested in sex with males: An investigation of experiences, preferences, and needs. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(1), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.07.015
Newcomb, M. E., Feinstein, B. A., Matson, M., Macapagal, K., & Mustanski, B. (2018). “I have no idea what’s going on out there”: Parents’ perspectives on promoting sexual health in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescents. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 15(2), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-018-0326-0
Newcomb, M. E., LaSala, M. C., Bouris, A., Mustanski, B., Prado, G., Schrager, S. M., & Huebner, D. M. (2019). The influence of families on LGBTQ youth health: A call to action for innovation in research and intervention development. LGBT Health, 6(4), 139–145. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2018.0157
Pampati, S., Johns, M. M., Szucs, L. E., Bishop, M. D., Mallory, A. B., Barrios, L. C., & Russell, S. T. (2021). Sexual and gender minority youth and sexual health education: A systematic mapping review of the literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(6), 1040–1052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.09.032
Pham, V. T., Adjei Boakye, E., Simpson, M. C., Van Phu Bui, Q., Olomukoro, S. I., Zand, D. H., Halloran, D. R., & Osazuwa-Peters, N. (2021). Human papillomavirus associated sexual risks among high school students in the U.S.: Does sexual orientation play a role? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50, 3093–3101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02083-9
Phillips, G., Beach, L. B., Turner, B., Feinstein, B. A., Marro, R., Philbin, M. M., Salamanca, P., Felt, D., & Birkett, M. (2019). Sexual identity and behavior among U.S. high school students, 2005–2015. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48, 1463–1479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-1404-y
Pingel, E. S., Thomas, L., Harmell, C., & Bauermeister, J. A. (2013). Creating comprehensive, youth centered, culturally appropriate sex education: What do young gay, bisexual, and questioning men want? Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 10(4), 293–301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-013-0134-5
Qualtrics. (n.d.). Online sample. https://www.qualtrics.com/research-services/online-sample/
Rabbitte, M. (2020). Sex education in school, are gender and sexual minority youth included?: A decade in review. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 15(4), 530–542. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2020.1832009
Rajakumar, K., Thomas, S. B., Musa, D., Almario, D., & Garza, M. A. (2009). Racial differences in parents’ distrust of medicine and research. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 163(2), 108–114. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2008.521
Rasberry, C. N., Lowry, R., Johns, M., Robin, L, Dunville, R., Pampati, S., Dittus, P. J., & Balaji, A. (2018). Sexual risk behavior differences among sexual minority high school students United States, 2015 and 2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report., 67(36), 1007–1011.
Rose, I. D., & Friedman, D. B. (2016). HIV information needs of parents of young men who have sex with men. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 33(4), 308–322. https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12152
Rose, I. D., Friedman, D. B., Annang, L., Spencer, S. M., & Lindley, L. L. (2014). Health communication practices among parents and sexual minority youth. Journal of LGBT Youth, 11(3), 316–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2013.864964
Saeed, S. A., & Masters, R. M. (2021). Disparities in health care and the digital divide. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01274-4
Svensson, K., Ramírez, O. F., Peres, F., Barnett, M., & Claudio, L. (2012). Socioeconomic determinants associated with willingness to participate in medical research among a diverse population. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 33(6), 1197–1205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2012.07.014
Thoma, B. C., & Huebner, D. M. (2018a). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis engagement among adolescent men who have sex with men: The role of parent-adolescent communication about sex. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 79(4), 453–457. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000001837
Thoma, B. C., & Huebner, D. M. (2018b). Parent-adolescent communication about sex and condom use among young men who have sex with men: An examination of the theory of planned behavior. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52(11), 973–987. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay002
Tornello, S. L., Riskind, R. G., & Patterson, C. J. (2014). Sexual orientation and sexual and reproductive health among adolescent young women in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health, 54(2), 160–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.08.018
Waldorf, B. S., & Kim, A. (2015). Defining and measuring rurality in the US: From typologies to continuous indices http://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_167036.pdf
Wei, F., Gaisa, M. M., D'Souza, G., Xia, N., Giuliano, A.R., Hawes, S.E., Gao, L., Cheng, S. H., Donà, M. G., Goldstone, S. E., Schim van der Loeff, M. F., Neukam, K., Meites, E., Poynten, I. M., Dai, J., Combes, J. D., Wieland, U., Burgos, J., Wilkin, T. J., & Clifford, G. M. (2021). Epidemiology of anal human papillomavirus infection and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 29,900 men according to HIV status, sexuality, and age: A collaborative pooled analysis of 64 studies. The Lancet HIV, 8(9), e531–e543. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(21)00108-9
Widman, L., Evans, R., Javidi, H., & Choukas-Bradley, S. (2019). Assessment of parent-based interventions for adolescent sexual health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(9), 866–877. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.2324
Widman, L., Golin, C. E., Kamke, K., Massey, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2017). Feasibility and acceptability of a web-based HIV/STD prevention program for adolescent girls targeting sexual communication skills. Health Education Research, 32(4), 343–352. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyx048
Ybarra, M. L., DuBois, L. Z., Parsons, J. T., Prescott, T. L., & Mustanski, B. (2014). Online focus groups as an HIV prevention program for gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males. AIDS Education and Prevention, 26(6), 554–564. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2014.26.6.554
Funding
The author has no funding to disclose.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The author has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Ethical Approval
The study was approved by the Texas A&M University’s institutional review board, and all procedures involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Informed Consent
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Owens, C. Attitudes Toward Using and Willingness to Use a Hypothetical Online Sex Communication Intervention for Parents of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents. Arch Sex Behav 53, 3119–3127 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02946-x
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02946-x