Parent-Adolescent Sexual Communication and Adolescent Safer Sex Behavior: A Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: IMPORTANCE:Parent-adolescent sexual communication has received considerable attention as a factor that can positively affect safer sex behavior among youth; however, the evidence linking such communication to youth contraceptive and condom use has not been empirically synthesized. OBJECTIVES:To examine the effect of parent-adolescent sexual communication on safer sex behavior among youth and explore potential moderators of this association. DATA SOURCES:A systematic search of studies published from database inception through June 30, 2014, using the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Communication & Mass Media Complete databases and relevant review articles yielded 5098 studies, of which 52 studies with 25,314 adolescents met the study eligibility criteria. Analysis was conducted from July 1, 2014, to July 27, 2015. STUDY SELECTION:Studies were included if they sampled adolescents (mean sample age ?18 years), included an adolescent report of sexual communication with one or both parents, measured safer sex behavior, and were published in English. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:Correlation coefficients (r) and 95% CIs were computed from studies and meta-analyzed using random-effects models. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:Safer sex behavior, including use of contraceptives or condoms. RESULTS:Fifty-two articles, including 71 independent effects representing more than 3 decades of research on 25,314 adolescents (weighted mean age, 15.2 years) were synthesized. Across studies, there was a significant weighted mean effect (r?=?0.10; 95% CI, 0.08-0.13) linking parent-adolescent sexual communication with safer sex behavior, which was statistically heterogeneous (Q?=?203.50, P?

SUBMITTER: Widman L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4857605 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature