Mother-Adolescent Daughter Communication about Sex: Integrative Review

Abstract

As sexual issues are taboo, it is considered inappropriate to discuss them directly and openly, especially communication about sex between mothers and daughters. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how communication between mothers and daughter about sexual topics can be improved to increase safe sexual behaviors. The purpose of this study is to understand the communication about sex between mothers and their adolescent daughters by conducting an integrative review of qualitative studies. An integrative review of qualitative research studies from 2000 to 2017 was undertaken. Systematic literature searches were carried out on electronic databases for journal articles and doctoral dissertations with full text focusing on mother-adolescent daughter communication about sex. Data was synthesized using thematic analysis. Seven qualitative articles were included in the synthesis, and five recurring themes were identified: 1) Mothers’ attitudes towards talking about sex with daughters 2) Feelings of daughters towards sexual communication with mothers 3) The first-time mother starting to talk about sex with her daughter 4) Contents of sexual communication and 5) Successfulness of communication. Results suggest future research in developing programs to provide communication about sexual matters between mothers and their daughters effectively, including consideration of different cultures and social contexts is necessary.