Let's talk about sex: how comfortable discussions about sex impact teen sexual behavior

J Health Commun. 2003 Nov-Dec;8(6):583-98. doi: 10.1080/716100416.

Abstract

A secondary analysis of data from 1,039 Latino adolescents who participated in a study of a sex education program was conducted to examine the impact of comfortable communication about sex on intended and actual sexual behavior. Results indicate that Latino adolescents have a broad communicative network, including friends, dating partners, and extended family members, with whom they talk about sex. Regression analyses suggest comfortable sexual communication is predictive of less likelihood of being sexually active, older at first intercourse, and increased intentions to delay intercourse.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Child
  • Communication*
  • Female
  • Friends
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Los Angeles
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations / ethnology
  • Sex Education*
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology*
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Students / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires