Why parents matter: A Qualitative Examination of Parental Monitoring on Adolescent Sexual Risk Taking

Background: African-American females are at greater risk of contracting an STI during adolescence as compared to other ethnic groups. Familial factors such as parental monitoring and social support have been associated with a decrease in adolescents' STI/HIV-associated sexual behavior. However, few studies exist that qualitatively explore this dynamic. The objective of this study was to better understand the interaction of familial relationships as a protective factor against high-risk sexual behavior.

Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with a subsample of 30 African-American female adolescents (ages 15-22) drawn from a larger randomized controlled HIV prevention trial. Participants were recruited at reproductive health clinics within a Southeastern metropolitan city. Interview questions explored the influence of parental supervision on sexual risk-taking and individual values placed on parental involvement. Interviews were 30 minutes in duration, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a structured open-coding approach.

Results: Adolescents primarily define their parental interactions by the functional role of their parent(s), a positive view of the family relationship, or a negative view of familial relationship. Throughout the narratives, a re-occurring theme of less sexual risk-taking was identified among adolescents that had a functional or positive view of their familial relationships.

Conclusions: Parents do influence the choices adolescents make about their sexual health. Adolescents that viewed their family interactions in a favorable light appeared less likely to engage in risk taking behavior. STI/HIV interventions could be strengthened by addressing the importance of family and involving parents in these programs.