How Are Self-Efficacy and Family Involvement Associated With Less Sexual Risk Taking Among Ethnic Minority Adolescents?

The current study investigates the protective influences of family involvement (i.e., parental monitoring, communication, closeness, and family proximity) and sexual self-efficacy on the risky sexual behavior of ethnic minority (predominantly Mexican-origin) adolescents in the southwestern United States (N = 122). Results indicate that whereas sexual self-efficacy was associated with intentions to have safe sex in the next 3 months, family involvement predicted being less likely to have ever had sex and to intend to have sex in the next 3 months and fewer lifetime sexual partners, beyond the variance predicted by sexual self-efficacy. Sexual self-efficacy continues to be an important predictor of adolescent risky sexual behavior and intentions; however, family involvement (monitoring, communication, closeness, and proximity) impacts certain positive preventive behaviors above and beyond self-efficacy. Family involvement is an important factor to consider in prevention and intervention with ethnic minority adolescents.