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‘Sex-talk’ with parents leads teens to safer sexual behaviors

Adolescents whose parents engaged them in open sexual communication were more likely to use contraceptives and condoms, according to recently published data.

“Pooling data from 3 decades of research with more than 25,000 adolescents, this meta-analysis found a significant positive association between parent-adolescent sexual communication and safer sex behavior among youth,” the researchers wrote.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 52 studies, which included 25,314 adolescents, to assess the impact of parent-youth discussions on adolescent safe sex practices. Adolescents had a mean age of 15.2 years.

Results demonstrated a significant association between parent-adolescent sexual communication and safer sex behaviors among adolescents. These results were statistically heterogeneous (P < .001).

Girls were more likely to be affected by communication than boys, according to the researchers. Additionally, discussions with mothers appeared to have a greater impact compared with discussions with fathers.

The researchers noted that physicians can play a part in helping to ease parents and children into having discussions regarding sexual health topics.

“Specially, physicians can have clear and honest conversations about sexual health issues in professional settings to model sexual communication skills, perhaps helping families initiate these conversations. They can also urge parents and adolescents to have such conversations at home, as well as provide resources to parents on when and how to discuss sensitive sexual health topics,” the researchers concluded.

In an accompanying editorial, Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, LCSW, RN, of New York University, and colleagues wrote:

“Most research has focused on parental influences in delaying sexual debut. Sexually active youths also benefit from parental discussions regarding sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Youth want to hear from their parents and overwhelmingly say that parents matter. Hence, public health efforts should support the unique role that parents can play in sexual decision making among adolescents.” – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.