Barriers and Facilitators to Maternal Communication with Preadolescents about Age-Relevant Sexual Topics

摘要: The present study examined factors that promote parent–child discussions about sex topics. A sample of 1,066 dyads African American mothers and their 9–12-year-old children participated completing computer-administered surveys. After controlling for all other covariates, mother’s sexual communication responsiveness (i.e., knowledge, comfort, skills, confidence) was the most consistent predictor discussions. Mothers with higher had significantly increased odds abstinence, puberty, reproduction, based on both mother child reports. In addition, child’s age, pubertal development, readiness to learn sex, being female were positively associated an increase in models. Findings indicate encouraging parents talk early may not be sufficient Parents also need confidence communicate effectively keep them from avoiding these often difficult emotional conversations children.