The Relationship of Family Factors To Alcohol Use and Sexual Risk Behavior: Implications for HIV/AIDS Prevention

Abstract:
This survey of 135 college students examines the relationship of family variables at ages 10-12 to alcohol use and high-risk sexual behavior at two time points: first intercourse and first intercourse with most recent sexual partner. Family variables include the quality of general communication between parents and adolescents, the degree to which participants perceived their discussion with their parents about sexuality to be supportive, and the overall health/pathology of the family. The researchers found that these family variables did not predict alcohol use but did predict condom use. Also, the subjects' relationship with their same-sex parent at age 10-12 was a more powerful predictor of future condom use than their relationship with their opposite-sex parent. The authors highlight the importance of addressing parent-child communication in early HIV prevention programs and of including fathers in family interventions with sons and mothers in family interventions with daughters.

Author(s): Piercy, Fred; Jurich, Joan; Chang, Young Hee; and Stibbins, Mary Beth

Publication: The Health Education Monograph Series, Volume 16, Number 2


Date Published: 1/1/1998

Pages: 9

Location Code: 8330