Parenting Processes Related to Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors of Adolescent Males and Females

This study extends current research on the relationship of parenting processes to adolescent sexual behavior by asking what parenting behaviors are related to sexual risk taking among sexually active adolescent males and females. Parenting behaviors considered were communication about sexual issues, support, and psychological and behavioral controls. Sexual risk taking was assessed by using a composite measure of the number of sexual partners, the consistency of contraceptive use, and the effectiveness of contraceptive method. The sample of 350 primarily White ninth- to 12th-grade students was drawn from a population of 2,257 junior and high school students who were surveyed as part of a larger study. Logistic regression analysis revealed gender differences in the effect of parents' behaviors on the sexual risk taking of their sons and daughters. An interaction effect was observed between parental communication about sexual issues and perceived parental support for males only. For females, parental psychological control increased the odds that a sexually active daughter would take more sexual risks. In addition, parental monitoring significantly decreased the odds that sexually active male and female adolescents would be high risk takers.