Youth perceptions of parental attitudes about sex: Implications for promoting intergenerational communication within the African American community

African American (AA) youth suffer disproportionately from consequences related to sexual risk behaviors, including high rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. National prevention initiatives suggest focusing efforts on developing innovative, effective prevention interventions and mobilizing broader community action. While the tradition of relaying information by word-of-mouth is a hallmark of the AA community, this practice has yet to extend to addressing issues surrounding adolescent sexual health. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between AA youth perceptions of their parents' attitudes about sex and their engagement in sexual risk behaviors. Data were collected from 563 AA adolescents (ages 9-19) living in impoverished areas in a southern U.S. city. Participants completed an anonymous self-administered paper-and-pencil survey and received a $15 incentive. The mean age of the sample was 13.5 years and 53.9% were female. Of those who believed their parents would be angry if they got pregnant/got someone pregnant, 65.6% had never had sex. Of those who perceived they could have a conversation with their parents about sex, 51.9% had never had sex. Of the sexually experienced, 76.2% reported mostly/always using condoms, 73.1% used condoms during their last sexual encounter, and 84.5% had not had sex while drunk/high (all p<0.05). Youth perceptions of their parents' attitudes about sex likely impact their decisions to engage in risk behaviors. Practitioners should consider including parents as an integral part of adolescent risk prevention interventions and promote intergenerational communication about sex and its consequences.