Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 548-558 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Family Relations |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2012 |
Keywords
- Ethnic minority adolescents
- Family
- Parental monitoring
- Sexual self-efficacy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)