title: Parenting practices and adolescent sexual behavior: A longitudinal study.
abstract: The effects of parental attitudes, practices, and television mediation on adolescent sexual behaviors were investigated in a study of adolescent sexuality and media (N=887). Confirmatory factor analyses supported an eight-factor parenting model with television mediation factors as constructs distinct from general parenting practices. Logistic regressions indicated that adolescents reporting greater parental disapproval and limits on viewing at Wave 1 were less likely to initiate oral sex between Waves 1 and 2. Adolescents who reported more sexual communication with parents were more likely to initiate oral sex. Results for vaginal intercourse were similar to those for oral sex. Co-viewing was a significant negative predictor of initiation of sexual behavior. Parental attitudes and television mediation can delay potentially risky adolescent sexual behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 450, Berkeley, CA 94706; t: (510) 549-8839; bersamin@prev.org , grube@prev.org , mtodd@prev.org , walker@prev.org.
authors.forename: Melina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bersamin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Joel W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Grube
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker