This study developed from Master's research using secondary data analysis. Baseline evaluation data from a school-based sexuality education program contain self-report measures of adolescents' comfort talking with parent/s about nine topic areas, six of which deal with sexual issues while the remaining three items deal with substances. The data also contain measures of self-efficacy.
The study describes the relationship between the adolescent's perception of comfort talking with parent/s about selected topics and their perceived self-efficacy in safer sex behaviors among sixth to eighth grade students (n=1908) in a major metropolitan public school system. Data were collected over a three-year period. Data analysis used chi-square testing with Bonferonni's correction.
A high level of comfort talking with parents in all topic areas was related with high self-efficacy in most behaviors. A few differences were noted between genders and grade levels. The content area of comfort talking with parents did not affect the relationship: students reporting high comfort talking with their parents about substances were equally likely to report high self-efficacy in safer sex behaviors as students reporting high comfort talking with their parents about sexual topics were.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Self-Efficacy, HIV Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Illinois at Chicago, Health Policy and Research Centers (The Building Your Life Program) Dr. Susan Levy, PhD, CHES, Principal Investigator
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment for Tuition Reimbursement