title: Heterosocial behaviors in early adolescent African American girls: the role of mother-daughter relationships.
abstract: Recent epidemiological trends in HIV/AIDS have helped draw attention to minority adolescents as especially high risk for HIV acquisition. Research shows the importance of maternal-child closeness and sexual communication in decreasing adolescent risk behaviors. The information, motivation, behavioral skills model (IMB) formed the framework for this pilot study whose purpose was to examine the informational and motivational antecedents of heterosocial risks in African American middle-school-aged girls and the maternal influence on these risks. Thirty-nine mother-daughter dyads participated, of whom 54% were impoverished. The girls' intent to stay safe, perceived social norms, and closeness to mother were negatively correlated with reported participation in potentially risky situations. Early interventions may enhance mother-daughter bonding, increasing sexual communication, and decreasing girls' participation in risky behaviors. This pilot study provides direction regarding testing of the IMB model in studies focused on early adolescent behaviors and mother-daughter interactions.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Bóuve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 408D Robinson Hall, Boston, MA 02115-5000, USA. t.aronowitz@neu.edu
authors.forename: Teri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aronowitz
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rennells
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009042:Motivation; D009518:New York; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012945:Social Values