Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Communicating with Children about Sexuality: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Brief Parenting Discussion Group

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a brief, group-based parenting intervention for parents of children aged three to 10 years, in improving parental communication about sexuality with their children. A 2 (intervention vs. control) by 3 (baseline, 4-week follow-up, 3-month follow-up) design was used, with parents randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. The intervention comprised of a single session, two-hour parent discussion group on how to positively communicate to children about sexuality. Parental behaviours, self-efficacy, beliefs, and attitudes about sexuality communication were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures included parental knowledge, parental comfort, child behaviours, and observed sexuality communication. 117 parents completed assessment measures across three time-points and their data were used in the final analyses. Parents in the intervention group reported (i) greater sexuality teaching behaviours; (ii) increased self-efficacy in using sexuality teaching strategies; and (iii) decreased negative beliefs and attitudes about child sexuality communication, relative to parents in the control group, at the 4-week and 3-month follow-ups. No significant differences between parents in the two groups were found on parental knowledge, parental comfort, and child behaviours. Observational data indicated significant intervention effects only on parents’ encouraging responses to their child’s sexuality questions. These findings provide initial support for a brief parenting discussion group in improving sexuality communication between parents and children. Further research is needed to expand on the generalisability of the present study’s findings. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615000459527

Highlights

  • Most parents acknowledge their role as sexuality educators, yet often feel that they lack the skills and confidence in effectively communicating to their children about sexuality.

  • Parents participating in a brief intervention reported changes in sexuality teaching behaviours, self-efficacy, and beliefs and attitudes about child sexuality communication.

  • Findings support the efficacy of a brief parenting discussion group in improving sexuality communication between parents and children, but studies on generalisability to more diverse populations are needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akers, A. Y., Holland, C. L., & Bost, J. (2011). Interventions to improve parental communication about sex: a systematic review. Pediatrics, 127(3), 494–510. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-2194.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1971). Social learning theory. General Learning Press.

  • Brilleslijper-Kater, S. N., & Baartman, H. E. (2000). What do young children know about sex? Research on the sexual knowledge of children between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Child Abuse Review, 9(3), 166–182. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-0852(200005/06)9:3<166::AID-CAR588>3.0.CO;2-3.

  • Brock, G. C., & Beazley, R. P. (1995). Using the Health Belief Model to explain parents’ participation in adolescents’ at‐home sexuality education activities. Journal of School Health, 65(4), 124–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, V., Dziegielewski, S. F. & Green, C. E. (2005). Improving comfort about sex communication between parents and their adolescents: practice-based research within a teen sexuality group. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, (4), 379. https://doi.org/10.1093/brief-treatment/mhi023.

  • Byers, E. S., Sears, H. A., & Weaver, A. D. (2008). Parents’ reports of sexual communication with children in kindergarten to grade 8. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(1), 86–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00463.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, H. B., Sipe, T. A., Elder, R., Mercer, S. L., Chattopadhyay, S. K., Jacob, V., Wethington, H. R., Kirby, D. B., Elliston, D. B., & Griffith, M. (2012). The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive risk-reduction and abstinence education interventions to prevent or reduce the risk of adolescent pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus, and sexually transmitted infections: two systematic reviews for the Guide to Community Preventive Services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(3), 272–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.11.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clawson, C. L., & Reese‐Weber, M. (2003). The amount and timing of parent‐adolescent sexual communication as predictors of late adolescent sexual risk‐taking behaviors. Journal of Sex Research, 40(3), 256–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490309552190.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, S. L., Koblinsky, S. A., & Sugawara, A. I. (1986). Evaluation of a sex education program for parents of young children. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 12(1), 32–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diiorio, C., Kelley, M. & Hockenberry-Eaton, M. (1999). Communication about sexual issues: mothers, fathers, and friends. Journal of Adolescent Health, 24(3), 181–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(98)00115-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiIorio, C., McCarty, F., Resnicow, K., Lehr, S., & Denzmore, P. (2007). REAL men: a group-randomized trial of an HIV prevention intervention for adolescent boys. American Journal of Public Health, 97(6), 1084–1089. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.073411.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • DiIorio, C., Resnicow, K., Dudley, W. N., Thomas, S., Terry Wang, D., Van Marter, D. F., Manteuffel, B. & Lipana, J (2000). Social cognitive factors associated with mother-adolescent communication about sex. Journal of Health Communication, 5(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/108107300126740. 2000/01/01.

  • Fonner, V. A., Armstrong, K. S., Kennedy, C. E., O’Reilly, K. R., & Sweat, M. D. (2014). School based sex education and HIV prevention in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 9(3), e89692 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0089692.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R., Armistead, L., Long, N., Wyckoff, S. C., Kotchick, B. A., Whitaker, D., Shaffer, A., Greenberg, A. E., Murry, V., & Jackson, L. C. (2007). Efficacy of a parent-based sexual-risk prevention program for African American preadolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 161(12), 1123–1129. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.161.12.1123.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goesling, B., Colman, S., Trenholm, C., Terzian, M., & Moore, K. (2014). Programs to reduce teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and associated sexual risk behaviors: a systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 54(5), 499–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldman, J. D. (2011). External providers’ sexuality education teaching and pedagogies for primary school students in grade 1 to grade 7. Sex Education, 11(02), 155–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2011.558423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldman, R., & Goldman, J. D. (1982). Children’s sexual thinking: a comparative study of children aged 5 to 15 YYears in Australia, North America, Britain and Sweden. ERIC.

  • Grabski, M., Morawska, A., & Sanders, M. (2015). Talking to children about sexuality triple P discussion group. The University of Queensland.

  • Hutchinson, M. K. & Montgomery, A. J. (2007). Parent Communication and Sexual Risk Among African Americans. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 29(6), 691–707. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945906297374.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jaccard, J., Dittus, P. J., & Gordon, V. V. (2000). Parent-teen communication about premarital sex factors associated with the extent of communication. Journal of Adolescent Research, 15(2), 187–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jerman, P., & Constantine, N. A. (2010). Demographic and psychological predictors of parent-adolescent communication about sex: A representative statewide analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 1164–1174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9546-1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, T. R., Price, J. H., & Fitzgerald, S. (2000). Rural parents’ communication with their teenagers about sexual issues. Journal of School Health, 70(8), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2000.tb07269.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, D. B., Laris, B. A., & Rolleri, L. A. (2007). Sex and HIV education programs: their impact on sexual behaviors of young people throughout the world. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(3 Mar), 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.11.143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, S., & Plocha, A. (2014). Sexuality in childhood. In D. L. Tolman, L. M. Diamond, J. A. Bauermeister, W. H. George, J. G. Pfaus, & L. M. Ward (Eds.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology, Vol. 1: Person-based approaches (pp. 415–432). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14193-014.

  • Larsson, I., & Svedin, C. G. (2002). Teachers’ and parents’ reports on 3-to 6-year-old children’s sexual behavior—a comparison. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26(3), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(01)00323-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lefkowitz, E. S., Sigman, M., & Au, T. K. F. (2000). Helping mothers discuss sexuality and AIDS with adolescents. Child Development, 71(5), 1383–1394. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKay, M. M., Chasse, K. T., Paikoff, R., McKinney, L. D., Baptiste, D., Coleman, D., Madison, S., & Bell, C. C. (2004). Family-level impact of the CHAMP Family Program: a community collaborative effort to support urban families and reduce youth HIV risk exposure. Fam Process, 43(1), 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2004.04301007.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, K. S., Fasula, A. M., Dittus, P., Wiegand, R. E., Wyckoff, S. C., & McNair, L. (2009). Barriers and facilitators to maternal communication with preadolescents about age-relevant sexual topics. AIDS and Behavior, 13, 365–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-007-9324-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, K. S., Levin, M. L., Whitaker, D. J., & Xu, X. (1998). Patterns of condom use among adolescents: the impact of mother-adolescent communication. American Journal of Public Health, 88(10), 1542–1544. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.88.10.1542.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, A., Patrick, K., Heywood, W., Blackman, P., & Pitts, M. (2014). National survey of Australian secondary students and sexual health 2013. http://www.redaware.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/31631-ARCSHS_NSASSSH_FINAL-A-3.pdf.

  • Mitchell, A., Smith, A., Carman, M., Schlichthorst, M., & Walsh, J. (2011). Sexuality education in Australia in 2011 (1921915056). http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/sexual-education-in-australia-2011.pdf.

  • Moore, N. B., & Davidson, J. K. (1999). Parents as first sexuality information sources: do they make a difference in daughters’ sexual attitudes and behavior? Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 24(3), 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/01614576.1999.11074295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morawska, A., Walsh, A., Grabski, M., & Fletcher, R. (2015). Parental confidence and preferences for communicating with their child about sexuality. Sex Education, 15(3), 235–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2014.996213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newby, K., Bayley, J. & Wallace, L. M. (2011). What should we tell the children about relationships and sex?: development of a program for parents using intervention mapping. Health Promotion Practice, 12(2), 209–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839909341028.

  • O’Donnell, L., Stueve, A., Agronick, G., Wilson-Simmons, R., Duran, R. & Jeanbaptiste, V (2005). Saving sex for later: an evaluation of a parent education intervention. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 37(4), 166–173. https://doi.org/10.1363/psrh.37.166.05.

  • Pluhar, E. I., & Kuriloff, P. (2004). What really matters in family communication about sexuality? A qualitative analysis of affect and style among African American mothers and adolescent daughters. Sex Education, 4(3), 303–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/1468181042000243376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponzetti, J. J. (2015). Evidence-based approaches to sexuality education: a global perspective. Taylor and Francis.

  • Pop, M., & Morawska, A. (2020). Adaptation and psychometric validation of the Romanian version of the Parenting and Child Sexuality Questionnaire, an instrument assessing practices, beliefs and confidence of parents in their capacity to communicate with their children on sexual topics. Under review.

  • Raffaelli, M., Bogenschneider, K. & Flood, M. F. (1998). Parent-teen communication about sexual topics. Journal of Family Issues, 19(3), 315–333. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251398019003005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, K. H., Smith, E., & Davies, C. (2017). Responsibilities, tensions and ways forward: parents’ perspectives on children’s sexuality education. Sex Education, 17(3), 333–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2017.1301904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, D. A. & Shirley, F. S. (1999). The importance of importance:adolescents' perceptions of parental communication about sexuality. Journal of Adolescence (London, England.), 22(6), 835–851. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1999.0279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M., & Morawska, A. (2010). Family background questionnaire. Brisbane: Parenting and Family Support Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R. (2012). Development, evaluation, and multinational dissemination of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 345–379. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Turner, K. M. T., & Markie-Dadds, C. (2001). Practitioners manual for standard Triple P. Families International Publishing.

  • Schuster, M. A., Corona, R., Elliott, M. N., Kanouse, D. E., Eastman, K. L., Zhou, A. J., & Klein, D. J. (2008). Evaluation of talking parents, Healthy Teens, a new worksite based parenting programme to promote parent-adolescent communication about sexual health: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 337(7664), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39609.657581.25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swain, C. R., Ackerman, L. K., & Ackerman, M. A. (2006). The influence of individual characteristics and contraceptive beliefs on parent-teen sexual communications: a structural model. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(6), 753.e759–753.e718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.08.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teo, S., & Morawska, A. (2016a). Beliefs about Sexuality Communication Questionnaire. Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland.

  • Teo, S., & Morawska, A. (2016b). Sexuality Communication Observation Schedule. Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland.

  • United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2009). International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: an evidence-informed approach for schools, teachers and health educators (Vol: I: The rationale for sexuality education). http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001832/183281e.pdf.

  • Villarruel, A. M., Cherry, C. L., Cabriales, E. G., Ronis, D. L., & Zhou, Y. (2008). A parent–adolescent intervention to increase sexual risk communication: results of a randomized controlled trial. AIDS Education and Prevention, 20(5), 371–383. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2008.20.5.371.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2006). Defining sexual health: report of a technical consultation on sexual health. World Health Organization.

  • Wilson, E. K., Dalberth, B. T., Koo, H. P., & Gard, J. C. (2010). Parents’ perspectives on talking to preteenage children about sex. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 42(1), 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1363/4205610.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the work of Melanie Grabski and Angela Wunsch from True Relationships and Reproductive Health in conducting the intervention sessions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, 13 Upland Rd, Brisbane, 4072, Australia

    Sarah Teo & Alina Morawska

Authors
  1. Sarah Teo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alina Morawska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alina Morawska.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The Parenting and Family Support Centre is partly funded by royalties stemming from published resources of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, which is developed and owned by The University of Queensland (UQ). Royalties are also distributed to the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at UQ and contributory authors of published Triple P resources. Triple P International (TPI) Pty Ltd is a private company licensed by UQ, to publish and disseminate Triple P worldwide. The authors of this report have no share or ownership of TPI. Dr Morawska receives royalties from TPI. TPI had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, or writing of this report. Dr Morawska is an employee at UQ and Dr Teo was a student at UQ at the time of this study.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Teo, S., Morawska, A. Communicating with Children about Sexuality: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Brief Parenting Discussion Group. J Child Fam Stud 30, 1487–1500 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01948-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01948-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation