Methods: In the first study with adults who parent, teach and/or provide healthcare or community support for underserved adolescents, ten women and five men were interviewed separately. The interviews were professionally transcribed, then coded, line by line using the MaxQDA software. Findings from this research were shared with participants in the second study to initiate discussions. In this study, focus groups were conducted with young adults (recent adolescents). These focus groups also were audiotaped, transcribed and coded line by line using the MaxQDA software. Data from both studies were analyzed independently by the principle investigator and two research assistants to determine relevant themes.
Results: Facilitators and strategies that promote adolescent/parent communication about healthy sexual decision-making were identified. Some of these include starting meaningful conversations about sexuality early in children’s lives, recognizing the most opportune times and places for these conversations, responding to cues, being available for conversations about all topics and showing respect for each other even when opinions vary. Barriers which inhibit meaningful conversations were identified as well. These include adolescent and parental dilemmas, such as lack of knowledge, being role-models for children, and reticence to reveal personal information.
Conclusion: Some parents do not recognize the need for open conversations about healthy sexual decision making, but many do, and yet struggle. For both parents and adolescents, having open conversations about healthy sexual decision making involves risk-taking. The costs of these conversations, including the risks of loss of acceptance, power and respect, of being rejected, or criticized are often weighed with the benefits that might be gained. When the costs are too great open conversations are inhibited. Strategies that help parents see the benefits and counteract the risks will be discussed.