Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parental monitoring and a spectrum of adolescent health risk behaviors; including: high risk sexual behavior, biologically-confirmed STDs, antisocial behavior, violence, and drug and alcohol use among adolescent females. Methods: Sexually active African American adolescent females (N=522) completed a self-administered survey, an in-depth private interview, and provided vaginal specimens that were screened for prevalent STDs. The survey assessed parental monitoring, drug and alcohol use, violence and antisocial behaviors. The interview assessed adolescents' STD/HIV-associated sexual behaviors. The STD screen assessed chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis Results: In multivariate analyses, controlling for observed covariates, adolescents with poorer parental monitoring were significantly more likely to have a biologically-confirmed STD (OR=1.7, p=.01), not use a condom at most recent sexual intercourse (OR=1.7, p=.01), have a new sex partner in past 30 days (OR=3.0, p=.02), use marijuana (OR=2.5, p=.04) and alcohol (OR=1.9, p=.01) in the past 30 days, have a history of arrest (OR=2.1, p=.03) and engage in recent fights (OR=1.4, p=.09) Conclusion: Parental monitoring may be a critical factor associated with adolescent health risk behaviors. Developing prevention programs informing parents about the importance of monitoring and enhancing parental monitoring skills may be an important risk-reduction strategy.
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (1) describe the link between parental monitoring and a spectrum of adolesent health risk behaviors; (2) articulate potential intervention strategies that attempt to enhance parental monitoring
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Family Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.