Family Influences during Childhood on African American Women’s Sexual Behavior during Young Adulthood

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The present study examined family influences during childhood on young adult sexual risk behavior. Prior research suggests that parental responsiveness and communication with adolescents about sexuality delays sexual activity and prevents risky behavior. One hundred twenty four African American women ages 18 to 25, inclusive, completed a survey assessing sexual behavior, childhood health influences, and other sociodemographic information. The results reveal that mothers are a primary influence on sexual behavior in adulthood, as measured by acquisition of a sexually transmitted infection. The results of this study underscore the importance of mother-daughter communication about sex during childhood and adolescence and have implications for sexual health interventions.