What we need to get there: Empowering parents to support adolescent sexual health

Background. Adolescent sexual health outcomes bear witness to extreme health disparities, and efforts to attain health equity must build on the strengths of the communities daily facing these issues. One significant asset possessed by African American and Hispanic families is the strength of parent-child relationships, including parent-child communication practices that can help to promote adolescent sexual health. Methods. We conducted 15 focus groups with parents in several New York State metropolitan areas to explore their perceptions of parents' roles in promoting adolescent sexual health. 182 parents, guardians, grandparents, and other adults engaged in raising children participated. One in four participants was male (24%). The sample was ethnically diverse: 51% Hispanic/Latino, 40% Black/African American, 10% White, 3% Native American, and 1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Five focus groups, with 42% of study participants, were conducted in Spanish. Detailed notes of focus group discussions were coded to reflect sensitizing and emergent themes. Results. The focus group discussions evidenced active efforts by ethnically diverse parents and guardians to support their children's healthy sexual development. Participants described strategies, skills, and resources that can serve as supports for promoting their children's self-regulated sexuality, healthy relationships among the sexes, and sexual maturation. Conclusions. This study identified a growing awareness of effective parent/child interactions, openness to gaining the skills needed for carrying out those interactions, and interest in accessing needed resources. It is crucial to work to bolster the role of ethnically and economically diverse parents in promoting adolescent sexual health.