The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49100

Karen L. Eastman, PhD¹, Rosalie Corona, PhD², and Mark A. Schuster, MD, PhD². (1) Department of Pediatrics, UCLA, Box 951752, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752, 310 206-1954, keastman@mednet.ucla.edu, (2) RAND, P.O. Box 2138, 1700 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138

Research indicates that increased parental knowledge about adolescent sexual behavior, parental monitoring, and parent-adolescent communication can help reduce risky adolescent behaviors. Based on these findings and on theories of behavioral change, the UCLA/RAND Center for Adolescent Health Promotion has developed a worksite-based parenting program for parents of 6th - 10th graders. The main goal of the parenting program is to improve parent-adolescent communication, promote healthy adolescent sexual development, and reduce adolescent sexual risk behaviors. The program conveniently takes place at the parents' worksite during their lunch hour. Groups of 12-15 parents meet for an hour once a week for eight consecutive weeks. The program teaches communication and parenting skills as well as basic facts about adolescent development, sex, and alcohol. Parents develop skills for talking with their adolescents about sensitive topics like sex (e.g., how to start conversations, use teachable moments, and get past roadblocks), and for teaching their adolescents decision-making and assertiveness skills. The program also emphasizes the importance of supervising children (parental monitoring) and staying involved in their lives. Facilitators use engaging, interactive techniques to demonstrate communication skills. Parents role-play scenarios to practice these techniques. Home assignments provide opportunities for parents to talk directly with their adolescents, and teach them skills. Handouts provide information on topics such as puberty and HIV/AIDS. We are evaluating the effectiveness of the program at worksites in the Los Angeles area using a randomized control design. We will present the program in detail and preliminary results.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Articulate the most important topics to cover in a program designed for parents of adolescents to promote healthy sexual development;
• Discuss the importance of incorporating various types of teaching activities and methods (e.g. role-plays, use of scripts, home assignments) into parenting programs for parents of adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.