The role of older siblings in the sexual and reproductive health of Mexican-origin young women

Citation

Coleman-Minahan, K. & Scandlyn, J. (2015). The role of older siblings in the sexual and reproductive health of Mexican-origin young women. North American Forum on Family Planning. Chicago, IL.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the influence of older siblings on the reproductive health of Mexican-origin young women. Methods: Reproductive health outcomes among Mexican-origin adolescents were examined using data from life history interviews conducted in 2014 with 21 first- and second-generation Mexican-origin women, aged 27–39, in Denver. Qualitative results were then tested using quantitative data from 1638 Mexican-origin participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Waves I–IV. The qualitative participants are currently the same ages as the Add Health participants. Results: Qualitative data suggested four ways older siblings protected younger siblings from risky sexual behaviors: older siblings, especially sisters, were often responsible for caring for their younger siblings; sibling relationships were close and supportive; older siblings provided advice, such as encouraging contraceptive use; and younger siblings learned from their older siblings' experiences. The hypothesis that older siblings are protective in Mexican-origin families was tested using Add Health data. Results demonstrated that having an older sibling in the home decreased the hazard of sexual initiation by 14% (HR, 0.86, p=.092), doubled the odds of contraceptive use in the second generation only (OR, 2.27, p=.068) and reduced the hazard of an adolescent birth by 59% (HR, 0.41, p=.042) in the second generation. Outcomes: Efforts to improve sex education in Mexican-origin families should consider the protective role of older siblings. Family planning providers could provide patients with accurate sexual health information to share with younger siblings or invite siblings to clinic visits.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.contraception.2015.06.154

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

North American Forum on Family Planning

Author(s)

Coleman-Minahan, K.
Scandlyn, J.

Year Published

2015

Volume Number

92

Pages

392-393

City of Publication

Chicago, IL

DOI

10.1016/j.contraception.2015.06.154

Reference ID

8953