TY - JOUR
T1 - How Does Pubertal Development Impact Caregiver-Adolescent Communication About Sex in Rural, African American Families? An Examination of Mediation Effects
AU - Ritchwood, Tiarney D.
AU - Metzger, Isha W.
AU - Powell, Terrinieka W.
AU - Corbie-Smith, Giselle
AU - Wynn, Mysha
AU - Lin, Feng Chang
AU - Akers, Aletha Y.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of our university-community partnership, Project Grace. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was funded by grants from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R24MD001671) and the University of North Carolina Center for AIDS Research (UNC CFAR P30 AI50410). Dr. Ritchwood was supported by training grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R25DA035692) and the National Institute of Mental Health (R25MH087217, R25MH083635). Dr. Metzger was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA025616) and the National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH18869). Dr. Corbie-Smith was supported by a mid-career award in patient-oriented research from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K24HL105493).
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2018.
PY - 2019/10/1
Y1 - 2019/10/1
N2 - This study examined the relationship between pubertal development and type of caregiver-adolescent communication about sex (CACS) among 441 African American caregivers participating in an intervention trial in rural North Carolina. We assessed CACS about general sexual health topics and positive aspects of sexuality. Caregivers’ attitudes and self-efficacy for CACS, and open communication style were examined as potential mediators. Caregivers engaged in low levels of communication about sex regardless of type. Among caregivers of males, pubertal development was associated with greater communication about general sexual health, which was mediated by self-efficacy for CACS. Among caregivers of females, pubertal development was associated with less communication about general and positive sexual health topics; however, there were no mediating factors. These findings highlight the predictors of CACS among young men and women after pubertal onset. Age appropriate, practical guidance for initiating CACS may be critical for ensuring caregiver talk about sex.
AB - This study examined the relationship between pubertal development and type of caregiver-adolescent communication about sex (CACS) among 441 African American caregivers participating in an intervention trial in rural North Carolina. We assessed CACS about general sexual health topics and positive aspects of sexuality. Caregivers’ attitudes and self-efficacy for CACS, and open communication style were examined as potential mediators. Caregivers engaged in low levels of communication about sex regardless of type. Among caregivers of males, pubertal development was associated with greater communication about general sexual health, which was mediated by self-efficacy for CACS. Among caregivers of females, pubertal development was associated with less communication about general and positive sexual health topics; however, there were no mediating factors. These findings highlight the predictors of CACS among young men and women after pubertal onset. Age appropriate, practical guidance for initiating CACS may be critical for ensuring caregiver talk about sex.
KW - adolescents
KW - communication about sex
KW - parents
KW - pubertal development
KW - sex differences
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U2 - 10.1177/0272431618806054
DO - 10.1177/0272431618806054
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85058982621
SN - 0272-4316
VL - 39
SP - 1129
EP - 1153
JO - Journal of Early Adolescence
JF - Journal of Early Adolescence
IS - 8
ER -