Role of Religious Parents in Adolescent Sexual Health Decision-making

Background: Research suggests that youth largely prefer parents and family members to serve as the primary sources of sexual health information. However, fear and discomfort around discussing sex with their parents often leave youth misinformed, under-informed and lacking social support for sexual health decision-making. Unfortunately, without relevant sexual health information, religious adolescents who are sexually active face significant sexual health risks. The current study explored the roles that religious African-American parents might play in supporting adolescents throughout their sexual decision-making processes. Methods: Thirty adolescents participated in four focus groups and 19 adults participated in two focus groups at two predominantly African-American Christian churches in Flint, Michigan. All data were analyzed inductively using a constant comparison approach. Results: Nearly all participants reported attending church weekly. Most participants also endorse the belief that parents should be an initial and continuing source of sexual health information for youth. Differences emerged between adults and youth regarding preferences for the content and delivery of sexual health messages from religious parents. Adults believed that their messages should highlight abstinence until marriage and reinforce messages about the negative consequences of sexual activity. Youth preferred parents who offered authentic guidance around relationships, gender norms, personal responsibility and peer pressure as well as realistic expectations around sexual activity. Conclusions: It is important for religious parents to expand their sexual health messaging beyond the discussion of negative consequences of premarital sex. The findings from this study may be used to inform future sexual health preventive interventions for religious African-American families.