Family and peer influences on sexual intentions among urban, low-income African-American and Hispanic females

Purpose: Peer and family influences are interconnected in complex ways, particularly in late adolescence. Using an ecological framework, we sought to understand the influence of mothers on the sexual risk intentions of daughters, by examining how parental influence variables interact with perceptions of negative peer influence. Methods: A non-probability sample of 176 mother-daughter dyads was recruited from clinics and service organizations in Philadelphia, PA, Newark, NJ, and New York City. Here, we use demographic variables, as well measures of sexual-communication, parental-monitoring, parental values about adolescent sex, daughter's perception of peer-influence and intention to have sex. Path-analysis was used to identify if perceptions of peer-influence acted as a mediator between parental-influence and daughter's sexual-intention. Results: Parent-child relationship satisfaction (b=-.068, p< .05) and parental-monitoring (b=-.135, p < .05) were directly associated with lower perceptions of negative peer influence. While there was a positive direct relationship between perceptions of negative peer influence and intention to have sex (b=.086, p < .05), parental monitoring and parent-child relationship satisfaction buffered that risk. Implications: Family processes act as protective factors for youth. Therefore, sex education and HIV prevention programs should include opportunities for parents to learn about sex-related issues and develop skills that allow them to communicate effectively with their children. These results also highlight the need for early intervention. Youth who become mired in negative peer environments in late adolescence may become less susceptible to family influence; therefore it would be prudent to reach these youth when they are younger and rooted in their family.