The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43446

Amy Binggeli, MPH, RD, CHES¹, Janet Flores, MPH¹, and Susanne Montgomery, MS, MPH, PhD². (1) Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92354, 9095588745, albinggeli@hotmail.com, (2) School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92354

Parental involvement has been shown to be of special importance as youth look to parents for leadership, in dealing with personal, and peer pressures. Positive parental involvement is characterized by a sense of emotional closeness and understanding and may delay teen participation in sexual behaviors. Teen verses parent perceptions regarding parental involvement were examined through a qualitative study which included 25 key informant and 4 focus group interviews conducted in different geographical regions in California; 12 key informants and 2 focus groups targeted teens 14-20 years and 13 key informants and 2 focus groups targeted parents 30-48 years. Interviews were transcribed and content analyzed for emerging themes using grounded theory methods. Interview questions explored parent and teen perceptions about the role of parental involvement in their teen’s life, specifically looking at sexual behaviors. Teens and parents identified daily communication; support and involvement as important protective factors against teen sexual behaviors. Themes emerged around differing teen and parent perceptions including, how parents behaved when they were around their teens. While some parents felt teens didn’t want them around, it was the way in which the parent acted when around the teen and not being around the teen in and of itself. Findings indicate that parent involvement can be seen as a protective factor against teen sexual behavior. It is important for programs to identify how parents can be “positively” involved in a teen’s life. Themes emerging from this exploratory qualitative study can be useful in public health program planning efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Discuss similarities and differences between teen and parent perceptions related to a teen’s sexual activity.
  7. Discuss types of parental involvement that may be associated with decreasing risky behavior among teens.
  11. Define parental involvement from a teen and parental perspective.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.