Reciprocal associations between adolescent sexual activity and quality of youth-parent interactions
Ream, G.L.; Savin-Williams, R.C.
Journal of Family Psychology Jfp Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association 19(2): 171-179
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0893-3200 PMID: 15982092 DOI: 10.1037/0893-3200.19.2.171Document Number: 257510
The authors examined differences in adolescents' relationships with their parents before and after adolescent first sexual activity. Participants were 13,570 members of the core sample of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health) Waves 1 and 2. Path analyses examined changes in parent-adolescent closeness, shared activities, and problem-focused interactions associated with changes in sexual activity separately for sons and daughters and for mothers and fathers. Race, religion, age, urbanicity, and parents' education were controls. Results confirm that increased problem-focused interactions and decreased parental closeness and shared activities both precede and follow adolescent sexual activity. Maintaining positive parental relations after adolescent first sexual activity is discussed as a means to reduce risks associated with sex.