Parenting Influences on Early Sex Initiation Among Adolescents

How Neighborhood Matters

Bibliographic Data

ID2346644
AuthorsKathleen M Roche (0000-0002-8456-0720, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health,, corresponding author), Debra Mekos (0000-0002-2168-1023, Urban Institute), Cheryl S Alexander (Johns Hopkins University), Cheryl Alexander (Johns Hopkins University), Nan Marie Astone (Johns Hopkins University), Karen Bandeen-Roche (0000-0003-3895-8313, Johns Hopkins University), Margaret E Ensminger (Johns Hopkins University)
Year2005
Volume26
Issue1
Pages32-54
Publication date2005-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0192-513X • E-ISSN: 1552-5481
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0192513x04265943
OpenAlexW2116350284
LanguageEN
Citations received34
References cited40

Building on social ecological research, this study considers whether neighborhood socioeconomic advantage modifies the relationship between parenting practices and sex initiation among young adolescents. Using data on a national sample of 2,559 middle school students, the authors examined two-way interactions between neighborhood socioeconomic status and parental involvement, decision making, and communication about sex. The parental decision-making measure was developed using latent class analysis. Greater parental involvement was related to a lower likelihood of sex initiation only when youth lived in socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods. Parental decision making centered on the child's activities within (e.g., television watching) and outside (e.g., hanging with peers) of the home was associated with a lower likelihood of sex initiation for adolescents in disadvantaged neighborhoods but to a greater likelihood of sex initiation for youth in advantaged neighborhoods. Results suggest that the neighborhood context must be considered in preventive interventions aimed at discouraging adolescent involvement in sexual intercourse

Developmental psychology · Disadvantaged · Latent class model · Population · Psychological intervention · Sexual intercourse · Social class · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Demography · Homelessness and Social Issues · Psychology