Relationship between Parental Closeness and Sexual Activity among Haitian American Adolescents

Haitian immigrants constitute a large and growing ethnic group in South Florida. Studies of risk and protective factors for adolescent sexual behavior have found protective relationships in parental involvement, support, and communication about sexual issues. Few studies have examined these relationships among Haitian immigrants, a group disproportionately affected by HIV/ AIDS. This study explored the relationship between parental closeness and sexual activity among Haitian-American adolescents. Haitian-American adolescents (n=276) participating in an HIV risk reduction intervention completed baseline assessments of sexual behavior and perceived parental closeness. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression were used to examine relationships between these variables. The sample was 68% female. Mean age was 15.6 years(SD = 1.14). Adolescents who felt closer to (r=-0.169, p=0.007) and talked about grades with their mothers (r=-0.149, p=0.023), worked on a school project with their fathers (r=-0.181, p=0.006) and participated in church(r=-0.159, p=0.015) or other activities with their fathers (r=-0.160, p=0.015) were less likely to be sexually active. Protective factors included adolescents' perceived closeness with father (e^β=0.502, p=0.045), participating in leisure activities with father (e^β=0.106, p=0.003), and perceiving mothers' disapproval of the participant having sex (e^β=0.106, p=0.001). This study provided insight into family relationships associated with sexual behavior among Haitian-American youth. Our findings are similar to those found among US adolescents which suggest that parental involvement, closeness, and communication are protective for sexual activity. These results may serve as a useful basis for developing effective prevention interventions for Haitian immigrant .