Abstract
The effects of parental attitudes, practices, and television mediation on adolescent sexual behaviors were investigated in a study of adolescent sexuality and media (N = 887). Confirmatory factor analyses supported an eight-factor parenting model with television mediation factors as constructs distinct from general parenting practices. Logistic regressions indicated that adolescents reporting greater parental disapproval and limits on viewing at Wave 1 were less likely to initiate oral sex between Waves 1 and 2. Adolescents who reported more sexual communication with parents were more likely to initiate oral sex. Results for vaginal intercourse were similar to those for oral sex. Coviewing was a significant negative predictor of initiation of sexual behavior. Parental attitudes and television mediation can delay potentially risky adolescent sexual behaviors.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 97-112 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Marriage and Family |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adolescent contraceptive behavior
- Adolescent sexual behavior
- Media
- Parenting
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Anthropology
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)