title: Quality of Parent-Adolescent Conversations About Sex and Adolescent Sexual Behavior: An Observational Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies suggest that the quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex uniquely predicts adolescent sexual behavior. Previous studies have relied predominantly on self-report data. Observational methods, which are not susceptible to self-report biases, may be useful in examining the associations between the quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex and adolescent sexual behavior more objectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  With a sample of adolescents (N = 55, 58% male, 44% white, Mage = 15.8) and their parents, we used hierarchical logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between the observed quality of parent-adolescent communication about dating and sex and the likelihood of adolescents' sexual intercourse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The quality of parent-adolescent communication about dating and sex predicted sexual behavior. Specifically, lecturing was associated with a higher likelihood of adolescents having had sexual intercourse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of parent-adolescent communication about sex is a unique correlate of adolescent sexual behavior and warrants further investigation. Thus, it serves as a potential target of preventive interventions that aim to foster adolescent sexual health behaviors.
authors.affiliation: T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Family and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Electronic address: adam.rogers@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Adam A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Family and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
authors.forename: Thao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Counseling Psychology and Human Services, College of Education, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Stormshak
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dishion
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescent; Observation; Parent–child communication; Quality of communication; Sexual behavior