title: Intergenerational family relations and sexual risk behavior in young women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To more fully understand the associations between family variables and sexual behavior of young women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two female clients of an urban youth agency (16 to 25 years of age) were interviewed about intergenerational stories and contact with extended families. Individuation was measured by self-report using the intergenerational individuation subscale of the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire. Self-report questions were used to gain information about the young women's sexual risk behavior. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, independent t-tests, and multiple regression. Family stories were analyzed for themes of resilience or vulnerability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Young women who perceived their connection with previous generations in a resilient light tended to be more individuated and report less risky sexual behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results may give direction in the design of family interventions for reducing sexual risk taking and enhancing positive health behavior. Interventions would include promoting a healthy degree of attachment between adolescents and their families, exploration of family of origin issues, and referral for more intensive services when needed.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nursing and Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY 14620, USA. Jane_Tuttle@URMC.Rochester.edu
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tuttle
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landau
authors.forename: M Duncan
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.forename: Kathleen Utter
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frodi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D009511:New England; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*