Are parental gender role beliefs a predictor of change in sexual communication in a prevention program?
This study examined if pre-intervention maternal gender role beliefs predict change in sexual communication in a sexual risk behavior prevention program designed to increase parent-pre-adolescent communication about sex. A sample of 281 African American fourth and fifth graders and their mothers participated in the five-session program and completed computerized questionnaires at baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. Based on mother report, more egalitarian maternal gender role beliefs predicted greater increases in parent-pre-adolescent communication about sex at postintervention. Based on pre-adolescent report, similar findings emerged at the 6-month follow-up, but only for boys. The relationship of maternal gender role beliefs to changes in sexual communication was not accounted for by maternal comfort with sexual communication with their pre-adolescents. The implications of maternal gender role beliefs in a prevention program designed to increase communication about sexual topics are considered.
Gale McKee
Laura
L
University of Vermont, VT, USA.
Forehand
Rex
R
Miller
Kim S
KS
Whitaker
Daniel J
DJ
Long
Nicholas
N
Armistead
Lisa
L
D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires