Father–teen talks about sex and teens’ sexual health: The role of direct and indirect communication

Abstract

Family talks about sex can protect against teens’ risky sexual behavior, but most research has focused on the role of mothers. The current study included cross-sectional survey data from 728 adolescents in the 11th and 12th grades (Mage = 17.00, SD = 0.90) in the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess associations between teens’ direct and indirect talk, defined as less straightforward ways to communicate one’s sexual values, with fathers about sex, and teens’ sexual behaviors. There were no significant direct associations between father–teen talk about sex and teens’ sexual behavior. However, teen gender moderated associations between indirect father–teen communication and teens’ sexual behavior. The results suggest the need to assess indirect talk about sex in studies of family sexuality communication and to further investigate the role of teens’ identities in determining the influence of father–teen talk about sex on teens’ sexual behavior.