Safer Sex Practices: The Connection Between Parent-Child Relationship Quality and Sexual Risk Taking in Adolescent Sexual Minority Males

Zachary M Hubert, Pace University

Abstract

Secure attachment between adolescents and their parents has been identified as an important protective factor against risk taking in adolescents, including sexual behaviors that may transmit HIV or other STI’s. Related research has found that when adolescents feel secure in their relationship to their parents, they often feel more comfortable discussing topics of sex with their parents as well as their partners. This open communication can, in turn, promote healthy sexual behavior. Despite the high stakes of sexual behavior in adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM), who are at a particularly disproportionate rate for HIV infection, no known studies have tested the hypothesis that communication about sex may be involved in indirect pathways linking attachment security and sexual risk taking in this population. This study thus tested a theoretically grounded path model of the association between attachment security and sexual risk behaviors (defined as expectations to engage in safer sex practices with a partner and intentions to practice safer sex with a partner, including using condoms) through the mechanisms of conversations between parents and children about sex, and adolescents’ own self-efficacy about sexual communication with partners. Data was collected from 78 ASMM ages 15-19 years old who completed an online survey measuring demographic information, the Parent-Teen Sexual Risk Communication Scale, the Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Relationships Structures, and the Sexual Risks Scale. No indirect effects were observed. Direct effects indicated that more avoidantly attached ASMM expect their partners to engage in condomless anal sex and not be open to talking about safer sex practices. They were also less likely to engage in conversations with their parents about topics related to sex. Next, ASMM who engage in conversations related to sex with their parents were more likely to feel confident in talking about sex with their partners. Finally, ASMM who displayed confidence in talking about sex with their partners were more likely to expect their partners to take part in safer sex practices. Findings suggest that attachment may be related to sexual risk in ASMM; however, not through the variables considered (parent-child sexual communication and sexual communication self-efficacy). Some findings from this study have not previously been studied in ASMM. First, this is the first known study to find a link between avoidant attachment in ASMM and parent-child sexual communication. Next, there are no known studies to have found a correlation between parent-child sexual communication in ASMM and sexual communication self-efficacy. Finally, this is the first known study to find that sexual communication self-efficacy was predictive of expectations to practice safer sex in ASMM. Implications from this study highlight the potential for both individual and family interventions that can target rejection and lack of support in adolescents with more avoidant attachment in order to prevent sexual transmission risk behaviors. For all ASMM, interventions that focus on building open communication skills between parents and children about topics of sex can increase the likelihood that adolescents will have more confidence in talking about sex with partners. Next, providing corrective attachment in families with more insecure attachment styles can also build more support amongst family members and create a safe space for adolescents to talk about vulnerable topics, like sex. Also, working with parents can help to increase their level of acceptance, comfort, and capacity to speak openly about sex with their adolescent. Additional implications for schools include providing professional development to teachers to aid more avoidantly attached ASMM who are struggling to feel accepted.

Subject Area

Psychology|Sexuality|Communication|Individual & family studies

Recommended Citation

Hubert, Zachary M, "Safer Sex Practices: The Connection Between Parent-Child Relationship Quality and Sexual Risk Taking in Adolescent Sexual Minority Males" (2023). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI30638091.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI30638091

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