Original articleRelationship between adolescent–parental communication and initiation of first intercourse by adolescents
Section snippets
Study location and personnel
This study was conducted at the University Hospital–Middleton Clinic, which is a satellite practice of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, Wisconsin. The clinic, which is free-standing, is located in Middleton, Wisconsin, and has been in operation since 1983. In addition to caring for pediatric patients, the clinic is the site of teaching programs for University of Wisconsin medical students and pediatric residents from University Hospital and Clinics.
Study patients
Two hundred and
Results
At the time of first query, the majority of the sexually active group were males (68%) and were white (97%). No differences between the virginal and nonvirginal groups were observed for variables concerning patients’ gender, race, parental marital status, number of children and position in the family, grades in school, or after-school activities. The mean duration of attending the clinic was slightly longer in the nonvirginal than virginal patients (10.7 vs. 8.4 years; p = .057). Differences
Discussion
The data obtained in this study show a correlation between the level of adolescent–parent communication, as perceived by the teenager, and abstinence of initiation of sexual intercourse. In the initial phase of the study, good communication with parents (and the father in particular) was positively correlated with abstinence (p < .01 for communication with fathers, p < .1 with mothers, and p < .01 with both parents). To determine whether the findings could be substantiated, an analysis of
Acknowledgements
The authors extend their gratitude to Dr. John Pascoe for his suggestions and help in editing the manuscript.
References (4)
- et al.
Female adolescents and onset of sexual intercourseA theory-based review of research from 1984–1994
J Adolesc Health
(1997) - et al.
Self-reported honesty among middle and high school students responding to a sexual behavior questionnaire
J Adolesc Health
(1998)
Cited by (150)
Do parental protective factors matter? Predicting HIV/STI risk among a sample of justice-involved African-American girls
2023, Children and Youth Services ReviewMother-child relationships
2023, Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Health, First EditionHymen and virginity: What every paediatrician should know
2022, Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthBullying Victimization and STIs: Parental Communication and Parental Sexual Communication as Moderators
2021, Research on Social Work Practice