Longitudinal Effects of Parental Sexual Communication on Adolescent Oral Sex Initiation: An Exploratoin of Gender Differences
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Date
2014-06
Authors
Ferry, Shannon Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Although the influence of parental sexual communication on adolescent
initiation of vaginal intercourse has been well-documented, this relationship has not yet
been examined in the case of early oral sexual initiation. The current study used data
from 329 community adolescents (52% female; mean age=14.4 years) to assess
associations between early oral sexual initiation and frequency of parental
communication about (a) sexual topics and (b) relationships with the opposite sex.
Gender differences in these associations were also explored. Overall results from
bivariate analyses found a modest correlation between parental sexual communication
at baseline and initiation of oral sex at one year follow-up. Results further revealed that
parental communication about sexual topics was negatively associated with oral sexual
initiation for females, but was positively associated for males. Parental communication
about relationships was negatively associated with oral sexual initiation for males, but
was positively associated for females. The findings are discussed in regard to their
implications for preventing early oral sexual initiation among male and female
adolescents.
Description
21 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2014.
Keywords
Adolescent sexuality, Parental communication, Oral sex, Sexual initiation, Risky sexual behavior, Adolescent behavior, Longitudinal