Abstract
Many adolescents are engaging in risky sexual behaviors, which can ultimately lead to adverse health outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections and/or teen pregnancy. Research has shown that youth aged 15–24 account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections acquired each year in the United States. This paper examined the effect of parental communication on African American adolescent sexual behaviors. A narrative literature review was completed in order to identify common themes across articles. Analyses indicated parental communication is associated with increased safe sex practices. More specifically, breadth of content, and open parental communication style were shown to be associated with safer sex practices. However, frequency/timing of parental teen sexual communication (PTSC) was not examined within the selected articles. Additionally, results indicated significant differences in PTSC topics discussed between male and female adolescents. Researchers and health educators alike should consider parental involvement in community and school-based sex education programs to help increase adolescent safe sex practices.
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McDade, R.S., Vidourek, R.A., Biradar, K.S. et al. Impact of Parental Communication on African American Adolescent Sexual Behavior: A Mini Literature Review. Sexuality & Culture 24, 1579–1593 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-019-09678-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-019-09678-4