Risky sexual behavior of foreign and native-born women in emerging adulthood: The long reach of mother-daughter relationships in adolescence

Citation

Samari, Goleen & Seltzer, Judith A. (2016). Risky sexual behavior of foreign and native-born women in emerging adulthood: The long reach of mother-daughter relationships in adolescence. Social Science Research. vol. 60 pp. 222-235

Abstract

Parents’ influence on young adult sexual behavior receives little attention compared to influence on adolescent behavior. Yet effective parenting should have lasting effects. Even fewer studies examine parents’ influence on sexual behavior of both foreign and native-born young adults. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) Waves I (1994–95) and III (2001–02), we examine longitudinal associations among mother-daughter relationship quality and nativity during adolescence and young adults’ risky sexual behaviors of condom use at last intercourse, number of sexual partners, and STI diagnoses (N = 4460). Women, 18–26 years old, who had good mother-adolescent daughter relationships have fewer partners and STIs in the past year. Second generation women have worse mother-adolescent daughter relationships, compared to third generation. Relationship quality does not explain associations between nativity and risky behavior. Lasting associations between relationship quality and risk behaviors suggest that reproductive health interventions should enhance mother-adolescent relationships.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.06.003

Keyword(s)

Young adulthood Parent-child relationships Sexual behavior Immigrant families

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Social Science Research

Author(s)

Samari, Goleen
Seltzer, Judith A.

Year Published

2016

Volume Number

60

Pages

222-235

Edition

June 9, 2016

DOI

10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.06.003

NIHMSID

NIHMS796868

Reference ID

6876