ABSTRACT
The growth of the Latino youth population, combined with the reality that many Latino adolescents live in environments characterized by social disparities, reveals a compelling need to address health inequalities affecting Latinos through effective health promotion programs designed by and for this population. This article presents findings from a pilot study of Encuentro, a health promotion program for young Latino teens and their parents. Developed by a community-university partnership, Encuentro aims to bolster internal assets, familial and cultural supports for young teens' positive development, and healthy sexual decision making and behaviors. Encuentro was pilot tested with 49 Latino families at 3 community sites in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Families were assigned to a program group or a control group. Pilot study findings confirm program feasibility and acceptability. Compared to the control group, program group youth reported substantially more involvement in activities celebrating Latino culture, and greater communication with their parents about sexual health topics. Parents in the program group reported greater ethnic pride, engaging in more activities to share Latino values and traditions with their teens, greater communication with their teens about sexual health topics, and increased parental monitoring than did parents in the control group. Findings demonstrate the potential of the Encuentro program.
Subject(s)
Communication , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Hispanic or Latino , Parents/education , Adolescent , Child , Decision Making , Female , Humans , Male , Pilot Projects , Sexual Behavior/ethnology , Sexual Health/ethnologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To obtain contextualized insights from professionals regarding factors that contribute to or inhibit the healthy development of Latino youth. METHOD: A community-engaged study in which semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 professionals who work extensively with Latino youth in urban clinics, schools, and other community-based settings. RESULTS: Every key informant expressed opinions regarding factors that contribute to healthy development of Latino youth, ranging from cultural identity and a sense of belonging to family connectedness and adult role models. Contributing and inhibiting factors were characterized by being either intrinsic to the individual (e.g., sense of belonging, hope) or extrinsic (e.g., family support and love, community support). CONCLUSION: Recognition of and appreciation for the importance of cultural influences in the lives of Latino youth is a critical starting point on which professionals must build to respectfully and successfully encourage healthy youth development. Factors that contribute to the healthy development of Latino youth range from cultural identity and cultural pride to family connectedness, adult role models, and a sense of belonging. In working with Latino young people, professionals must recognize and appreciate cultural influences as foundational to this population's health and well-being.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Development , Hispanic or Latino , Adolescent , Adolescent Health Services , Culture , Female , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Minnesota , Self Concept , Social Identification , Social SupportABSTRACT
Prime Time, a youth development intervention, aims to reduce multiple risk behaviors among adolescent girls seeking clinic services who are at high risk for pregnancy. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether Prime Time involvement produced changes in relational aggression, physical violence, and related psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. Qualitative case exemplars illustrated social contexts of intervention participants with differing longitudinal patterns of relational aggression and physical violence. Data were from a randomized efficacy trial with 13-17 year-old girls (n = 253) meeting specified risk criteria. Intervention participants were involved in Prime Time and usual clinic services for 18 months, control participants received usual clinic services. Participants in the current study completed self-report surveys at baseline and 18 months following enrollment. Outcomes analyses revealed significantly lower levels of relational aggression perpetration in the intervention group versus controls. In contrast, Prime Time involvement did not result in significant reductions in physical violence. Exploratory dose-response analyses indicated that reductions in relational aggression may have been most pronounced among girls actively involved in Prime Time case management and peer leadership activities. Qualitative findings suggested that the intervention's emphasis on modeling and building supportive relationships contributed to reductions in relational aggression. This study contributes to what has been a very limited evidence base regarding effective approaches to preventing violence among high-risk adolescent girls. Findings suggest that offering youth development interventions through clinic settings hold promise in reducing violence risk among vulnerable youth.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Violence/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Psychology, Adolescent , Risk-Taking , Self ReportABSTRACT
This study examined associations between social-emotional intelligence (SEI) and two measures of violence perpetration (relational aggression and physical violence) in a cross-sectional sample of high-risk adolescent girls (N = 253). We evaluated three aspects of SEI: stress management, intrapersonal, and interpersonal skills. Results of a multiple linear regression model accounting for participants' age, race/ethnicity, and experiences of relational aggression victimization indicated that girls with better stress management skills were less likely to perpetrate relational aggression. A parallel model for perpetration of physical violence showed a similar pattern of results. Study findings suggest that SEI, and stress management skills in particular, may protect adolescent girls - including those who have been victims of violence - from perpetrating relational aggression and physical violence. Interventions that build adolescent girls' social and emotional skills may be an effective strategy for reducing their perpetration of violence.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Emotional Intelligence , Violence/psychology , Adolescent , Aggression/psychology , Female , Humans , Psychological Tests , Stress, PsychologicalABSTRACT
This study examined relationships between social-emotional skills and involvement in bullying and violence among young adolescents from ethnically diverse, economically disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. Data were from 171 sixth- and seventh-grade students involved in a larger intervention study. Analyses examined relationships between social-emotional skills measures (intrapersonal skills, stress management skills, interpersonal skills) and involvement in violence, physical bullying, and relational aggression. Of social-emotional skills indicators, interpersonal skills and stress management skills demonstrated significant bivariate relationships with each of the bullying and violence outcomes. In multivariate models, greater interpersonal skills and greater stress management skills were significantly associated with lower odds of violence involvement. Greater stress management skills were also significantly associated with lower levels of physical bullying and relational aggression. Findings suggest that efforts to foster development of young adolescents' social-emotional skills may, in turn, reduce their risk for involvement in bullying and violence.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Bullying/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Poverty , Violence/psychology , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Psychometrics , Socioeconomic Factors , Stress, Psychological/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Primary care providers are well positioned to address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents; however, gaps often exist in the delivery of quality SRH services in primary care. Our objective was to identify specific opportunities to improve the delivery of adolescent SRH services in primary care. We conducted in-depth interviews with 25 primary care providers from various disciplines across rural and urban areas of Minnesota and conducted thematic analysis of transcribed data. Participants identified salient opportunities in three areas: (1) training and resources for providers (e.g., related to minor consent laws or addressing sensitive subjects), (2) practices and procedures (e.g., time-alone procedures and policies for confidential screening and sharing test results), and (3) education for adolescents (e.g., knowing their rights and accessing confidential SRH services). Study findings provide actionable opportunities to improve delivery of adolescent SRH services in primary care.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Health Services , Reproductive Health Services , Sexual Health , Humans , Adolescent , Sexual Behavior , Reproductive Health/education , Sexual Health/education , Primary Health CareABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Time alone between health care providers and adolescent patients is a core element of quality adolescent primary care, yet not all adolescents receive this care. Clinicians' apprehension about how best to introduce time alone may contribute to lower levels of time alone. This study aims to understand how adolescent patients and their parents or guardians experience the introduction of time alone during adolescent preventive visits. METHOD: We conducted semistructured interviews with adolescents, aged 11-17 years (n = 35) and a parent or guardian of the adolescent (n = 35) across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of Minnesota. We used thematic analysis to describe (1) parent and adolescent experiences learning about time alone for the first time and (2) parent and adolescent reactions to this experience. RESULTS: Key findings from this study suggest that adolescents prefer a universal application of time alone with an option to opt out (e.g., "At this age, I always ask parents to step out for a few minutes, are you okay with that?"), rather than opt in (e.g., "Would you like your parent to step out?"). Parents noted that time alone should not be a surprise but rather should be presented as routine, so they are not left to wonder if time alone was offered to their adolescent for a particular reason. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest universal presentation of time alone with the option for adolescents to opt out may improve acceptability of time alone and support delivery of highquality care.
Subject(s)
Health Personnel , Parents , Humans , Adolescent , Minnesota , Quality of Health CareABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Primary care providers are well-positioned to facilitate parent-adolescent health communication. We examined provider-facilitated parent-adolescent health communication prevalence and associations with parent-adolescent health communication. METHOD: Using data from a national survey of parent-adolescent dyads (n = 853), we calculated the prevalence of provider-facilitated parent-adolescent health communication about 11 topics as a result of adolescent's last preventive visit. We examined correlates of of provider-facilitatedparent-adolescent communication and associations with with parent-adolescent communication. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of adolescents reported that a provider helped them talk with their parent about a health concern, with little variability by adolescent, parent, or provider characteristics. Prevalence of parent-adolescent communication because of an adolescent's last preventive visit ranged between 38.4% and 79.5%. Provider facilitation was positively associated with parent-adolescent communication for all topics. DISCUSSION: Given the low prevalence of provider-facilitated-parent-adolescent health communication and positive associations between provider facilitation and parent-adolescent communication about multiple important health-related topics, efforts to improve this practice could be beneficial.
Subject(s)
Health Communication , Humans , Adolescent , Communication , Adolescent Health , ParentsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Pediatric obesity disproportionately impacts Hispanic or Latino/a adolescents. Culturally appropriate family-based behavioral initiatives to improve weight status are warranted. The purpose of this research was to determine prevalence rates and identify protective factors associated with having overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥ 85th percentile) to inform Hispanic or Latino/a-targeted behavioral intervention development. DESIGN: Secondary data analyses of a population-based statewide survey. SETTING: Minnesota public high schools. PARTICIPANTS: Male (n = 2,644) and female (n = 2,798) Hispanic or Latino/a 9th and 11th graders (N = 5,442). MEASURES: Obesity-related behaviors (meeting fruit and vegetable [F&V] and physical activity [PA] recommendations), family caring, family country/region of origin, and weight status. ANALYSIS: Stepwise logistic regression models (F&V, PA), stratified by biological sex, were used to identify protective factors of overweight/obesity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of meeting F&V and PA recommendations was 11.0% and 11.8%, respectively. Meeting F&V recommendations was not protective against overweight/obesity in either sex. Yet, males and females who met PA recommendations had significantly lower odds of having overweight/obesity (p < .05). In F&V and PA models, family caring was protective against overweight/obesity in females (p < .05), and family country/region of origin was protective against overweight/obesity in both sexes (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Findings illustrate a need for obesity prevention initiatives for Hispanic or Latino/a youth. More research is needed to understand the protective nature of family caring and country/region of origin.
Subject(s)
Overweight , Pediatric Obesity , Child , Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Overweight/epidemiology , Minnesota/epidemiology , Protective Factors , Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology , Pediatric Obesity/prevention & control , Body Mass Index , Hispanic or Latino , VegetablesABSTRACT
Multifaceted, sustained efforts are needed to reduce early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among high-risk adolescents. An important area for research is testing youth development interventions offered through clinic settings, where access to high-risk adolescents is plentiful and few efforts have rigorously evaluated a dual approach of building protective factors while addressing risk. This article presents findings from a pilot study of Prime Time, a clinic-based youth development intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors among girls at risk for early pregnancy. Girls aged 13 to 17 years meeting specified risk criteria were assigned to Prime Time treatment groups. The Prime Time intervention included a combination of case management services and peer leadership groups. Participants completed self-report surveys at baseline, 12 and 18 months following enrollment. At 12 months, the intervention group reported significantly fewer sexual partners than the control group. At 18 months, the intervention group reported significantly more consistent condom use with trends toward more consistent hormonal and dual method use. Dose-response analyses suggested that relatively high levels of exposure to a youth development intervention were needed to change contraceptive use behaviors among adolescents at risk for early pregnancy. Given promising findings, further testing of the Prime Time intervention is warranted.
Subject(s)
Pregnancy in Adolescence/prevention & control , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior , Case Management , Female , Humans , Peer Group , Pilot Projects , PregnancyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) has been shown to reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors and promote healthy sexual development, and studies have shown high support for this approach. However, the past decade has seen many changes in the political landscape and social controversies. The present study reports on an updated survey and analysis of changes in support from 2006 to 2021. METHODS: Survey data were collected by telephone in 2006 (N = 1,605) and online and in-person in 2021 (N = 719) from separate samples of Minnesota parents of school-age children. Parents responded to items regarding preferences for CSE, support for teaching numerous specific sexuality education topics, and the grade level at which topics should be introduced. Chi-square tests and logistic regression (with weighted 2021 data) were used to detect differences in support between survey years and across demographic and personal characteristics. RESULTS: At both time points, approximately 90% of parents thought that CSE should be taught in schools, with significant increases in support within several demographic categories. Support for including all specific topics was high, including for topics typically considered highly controversial (e.g., gender identity, 68.7%; abortion, 77.7% in 2021). Parents endorsed introducing most topics in elementary or middle school years. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that policy makers and educators in Minnesota can be confident of strong parental support for CSE covering a wide range of content to meet students' needs. Advocacy and action to advance the use of national sexuality education standards are in keeping with the views of the overwhelming majority of parents of school-age children.
Subject(s)
Gender Identity , Sex Education , Child , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , Male , Sexual Behavior , Parents , Surveys and Questionnaires , SexualityABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study examines characteristics of healthcare delivery, providers, and adolescents associated with provider-adolescent discussions about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) during preventive visits. METHODS: Data were from a 2019 national internet survey of U.S. adolescents ages 11-17 years and their parents. Adolescents who had a preventive visit in the past 2 years (n = 853) were asked whether their provider discussed each of eight SRH topics at that visit: puberty, safe dating, gender identity, sexual orientation, whether or not to have sex, sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus, birth control methods, and where to get SRH services. Eight multivariable logistic regression models were examined (one for each SRH topic as the outcome), with each model including modifiable healthcare delivery and provider characteristics, adolescent beliefs, behaviors, and demographic characteristics as potential correlates. RESULTS: Provider-adolescent discussions about SRH topics at the last preventive visit were positively associated with face-to-face screening about sexual activity for all eight topics (range of adjusted odds ratios [AORs] = 3.40-9.61), having time alone with the adolescent during that visit (seven topics; AORs = 1.87-3.87), and ever having communicated about confidentiality with adolescents (two topics; AORs = 1.88-2.19) and with parents (one topic; AOR = 2.73). Adolescents' perception that a topic was important to discuss with their provider was associated with provider-adolescent discussions about seven topics (AORs = 2.34-5.46). CONCLUSIONS: Findings that provider-adolescent discussions about SRH during preventive visits were associated with modifiable practices including time alone between providers and adolescents and screening about sexual activity can inform efforts to improve the delivery of adolescent SRH services within primary care.
Subject(s)
Reproductive Health Services , Sexual Health , Adolescent , Child , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , Male , Reproductive Health , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine sources of information used by parents to facilitate parent-adolescent communication about sexual and reproductive health (SRH), parents' preferences for receiving SRH information through primary care, and factors associated with parents' interest in primary-care-based SRH information (ie, resources recommended or offered in the primary care setting). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a nationally representative sample of 11-17-year-old adolescents and their parents (n = 1005 dyads) were surveyed online; 993 were retained for these analyses. Parents were asked about their use of 11 resources to help them talk with their adolescents about SRH and rated the likelihood of using specific primary-care-based resources. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine characteristics associated with parent interest in primary-care-based SRH resources. RESULTS: Only 25.8% of parents reported receiving at least a moderate amount of SRH information from primary care; half (53.3%) reported receiving no SRH information from their adolescent's provider. Parents received the most information from personal connections (eg, spouse/partner, friends). Most parents (59.1%) reported being likely to utilize a primary-care-based resource for SRH information. Parents who previously received SRH information from primary care sources had greater odds of reporting they would be likely to utilize a primary-care-based resources (AOR = 4.06, 95% CI: 2.55-6.46). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into parents' sources of information for communicating with their adolescents about SRH and ways primary care practices might increase support for parents in having SRH conversations with their adolescents. Future studies are needed to establish clinical best practices for promoting parent-adolescent communication about SRH.
Subject(s)
Sexual Health , Adolescent , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Parents , Primary Health Care , Reproductive Health , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The conundrum of measuring condom use consistency, particularly with adolescents, has left researchers with a cacophony of strategies, thereby limiting comparability and interpretation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this analysis was to compare and contrast two measures of condom use consistency, global versus partner specific, and their relationships with key covariates, using trajectory groups differentiated by stability of condom use consistency over three time points. METHOD: Using self-report data from sexually active girls (aged 13-17 years) in a clinic-based intervention study aimed at lowering risk for early pregnancy, this analysis compared two measures of self-reported condom use consistency: (a) a global measure: overall condom use consistency in the past 6 months and (b) a partner-specific measure: condom use consistency with the most recent sex partner in the last 6 months. Using a subjective rule-based approach, the adolescent girls in the study (n = 151) were classified into trajectory groups representing their condom use consistency at three time points (baseline and 6 and 12 months). Then, using bivariate methods, trajectory groups were compared on four baseline covariates (age, treatment condition, hormonal use in the last 6 months, and number of sex partners in the last 6 months) and three time-varying covariates measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months (hormonal use stability, stability of primary sex partner, and stability of number of sex partners). RESULTS: For the trajectory groups formed using the global measure of condom use consistency, stability of the primary sex partner differed significantly between trajectory groups. For the partner-specific trajectory groups, two baseline and one time-varying covariate relationships were significant: hormonal use in the 6 months prior to baseline, number of sex partners in the past 6 months (baseline), and stability of the primary sex partner (time varying), with hormonal use stability (time varying) trending toward significance. DISCUSSION: The larger number of significant covariate relationships with the partner-specific trajectory groups suggests greater utility in assessing partner-linked behavior rather than a global measure. Despite limitations of the analytic strategy, this study sheds light on a measurement conundrum that has been an obstacle to comparing and contrasting indicators of condom use consistency during adolescence.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Adolescent , Age Factors , Female , Humans , Sex Factors , Sexual Partners , Time FactorsABSTRACT
We tested relationships between social connections, hope, and violence among young adolescents from socially distressed urban neighborhoods, and examined whether relationships between adolescents' family and school connectedness and violence involvement were mediated by hopefulness. Data were from middle school students involved in the Lead Peace demonstration study. The sample (N = 164) was 51.8% female; 42% African American, 28% Asian, 13% Hispanic, and 17% mixed race or other race; average age was 12.1 years; 46% reported physical fighting in the past year. In multivariate models, parent-family connectedness was protective against violence; school connectedness was marginally protective. Hopefulness was related to lower levels of violence. The relationship between school connectedness and violence was mediated by hopefulness; some evidence for mediation also existed in the family-parent connectedness and violence relationship. Findings warrant continued exploration of hopefulness as an important protective factor against violence involvement, and as a mediator in relationships between social connections and violence involvement.
Subject(s)
Interpersonal Relations , Morale , Resilience, Psychological , Social Support , Violence/prevention & control , Adolescent , Child , Family Relations , Female , Humans , Male , Minnesota , Models, Psychological , Multivariate Analysis , Students/psychology , Violence/psychologyABSTRACT
Youth living in impoverished urban neighborhoods are at risk for becoming hopeless about their future and engaging in violent behaviors. The current study seeks to examine the longitudinal relationship between social connections, hopelessness trajectories, and subsequent violent behavior across adolescence. Our sample included 723 (49% female) African American youth living in impoverished urban neighborhoods who participated in the Mobile Youth Survey from 1998 through 2006. Using general growth mixture modeling, we found two hopelessness trajectory classes for both boys and girls during middle adolescence: a consistently low hopelessness class and an increasingly hopeless class with quadratic change. In all classes, youth who reported stronger early adolescent connections to their mothers were less hopeless at age 13. The probability of later adolescent violence with a weapon was higher for boys and was associated with the increasingly hopeless class for both boys and girls. Implications for new avenues of research and design of hope-based prevention interventions will be discussed.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Depression/psychology , Poverty/psychology , Urban Population , Violence/psychology , Adolescent , Adolescent Development , Black or African American/psychology , Age Factors , Alabama , Child , Depression/ethnology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Models, Psychological , Mother-Child Relations , Negativism , Poverty/ethnology , Public Housing , Risk Factors , Self Report , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Violence/ethnologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To quantify adolescent- and parent-perceived importance of provider-adolescent discussions about sexual and reproductive health (SRH), describe prevalence of provider confidentiality practices and provider-adolescent discussions about SRH topics during preventive visits, and identify missed opportunities for such conversations. METHODS: We used data from a national Internet survey of 11- to 17-year-old adolescents and their parents. Data were weighted to represent the noninstitutionalized US adolescent population. Adolescents who had a preventive visit in the past 2 years and their parents reported on perceived importance of provider-adolescent discussions about SRH topics: puberty, safe dating, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual decision-making, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, methods of birth control, and where to get SRH services. Adolescents and parents reported whether they had ever discussed confidentiality with the adolescent's provider. Adolescents reported experiences at their most recent preventive visit, including whether a provider spoke about specific SRH topics and whether they had time alone with a provider. RESULTS: A majority of adolescents and parents deemed provider-adolescent discussions about puberty, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and birth control as important. However, fewer than one-third of adolescents reported discussions about SRH topics other than puberty at their most recent preventive visit. These discussions were particularly uncommon among younger adolescents. Within age groups, discussions about several topics varied by sex. CONCLUSIONS: Although most parents and adolescents value provider-adolescent discussions of selected SRH topics, these discussions do not occur routinely during preventive visits. Preventive visits represent a missed opportunity for adolescents to receive screening, education, and guidance related to SRH.
Subject(s)
Preventive Health Services , Reproductive Health , Sex Education , Sexual Health , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Parents , Retrospective Studies , Self ReportABSTRACT
Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth experience significant health and well-being disparities compared to their cisgender peers. However, disparities experienced at a population level might be mitigated by individual-level factors such as strong family relationships. Discrete aspects of strong family relationships may impact the health and well-being of TGD youth differently. To date, no systematic review known to us has explored the state of the science regarding the association between family relationships and the health and well-being of TGD adolescents and young adults. As such, our review aimed to (1) compile and present the scientific literature addressing the connection between family relationships and the health and well-being of TGD youth in those families; (2) sort results utilizing the Family Strengths Model; and (3) assess the strength of the literature with evidence-based appraisal tools. Sixteen articles met eligibility criteria (10 quantitative and 6 qualitative). These articles discussed family relationship qualities influencing health and well-being outcomes, including mental health, homelessness, sexual health, and substance use. Three of six qualities of strong families-coping ability, appreciation and affection, and positive communication-were represented in the literature. The risk for bias and study strength appraisals suggest that the available literature is moderately strong overall. Certain characteristics of strong families (commitment, enjoyable time spent together, and spiritual well-being) were underrepresented in the literature. Future research should explore these gaps to ensure that health care and community service providers can deliver the most effective support and care for TGD youth and their families.
Subject(s)
Family Relations/psychology , Health Status , Mental Health/statistics & numerical data , Transgender Persons/psychology , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Transgender and gender-diverse youth experience significant health disparities across numerous domains of health, including sexual health. Among general populations, parent connectedness has been strongly associated with youth sexual health. METHODS: The relationships between parent connectedness and sexual health indicators were investigated among 2,168 transgender and gender-diverse youth who participated in the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey, a statewide population-based survey of ninth- and 11th-grade students. Multivariate logistic regression models, stratified by sex assigned at birth, tested associations between parent connectedness-youth's perceptions of parent caring and parent-youth communication-and eight sexual health indicators: ever having had sex, having multiple sexual partners in the past year, pregnancy involvement, substance use at last sex, partner communication about STI prevention, partner communication about pregnancy prevention, condom use at last sex and pregnancy prevention methods at last sex. RESULTS: The level of parent connectedness was inversely associated with ever having had sex, regardless of sex assigned at birth (odds ratios, 0.6-0.8). Although level of connectedness was inversely associated with having multiple sexual partners in the past year and pregnancy involvement among transgender and gender-diverse youth assigned male at birth (0.6-0.7), these relationships were nonsignificant among transgender and gender-diverse youth assigned female at birth. Further differences in associations between parent connectedness and four sexual risk-reduction behaviors were found between youth assigned male at birth and those assigned female. CONCLUSIONS: As with other populations, parent connectedness promotes sexual health among transgender and gender-diverse youth and may provide a point of intervention.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Health , Parent-Child Relations , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Sexual Health , Transgender Persons/psychology , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Minnesota , Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Substantial gaps exist between professional guidelines and practice around confidential adolescent services, including private time between health-care providers and adolescents. Efforts to provide quality sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) require an understanding of barriers and facilitators to care from the perspectives of primary care providers working with adolescents and their parents. METHODS: We conducted structured qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of pediatricians, family physicians, and nurse practitioners (n = 25) from urban and rural Minnesota communities with higher and lower rates of adolescent pregnancy. Provider interviews included confidentiality beliefs and practices; SRHS screening and counseling; and referral practices. RESULTS: The analysis identified two key themes: (1) individual and structural factors were related to variations in SRH screening and counseling and (2) a wide range of factors influenced provider decision-making in initiating private time. A nuanced set of factors informed SRHS provided, including provider comfort with specific topics; provider engagement and relationship with parents; use of adolescent screening tools; practices, policies, and resources within the clinic setting; and community norms including openness with communication about sex and religious considerations regarding adolescent sexuality. Factors that shaped providers' decisions in initiating private time included adolescent age, developmental stage, health behaviors and other characteristics; observed adolescent-parent interactions; parent support for private time; reason for clinic visit; laws and professional guidelines; and cultural considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest opportunities for interventions related to provider and clinic staff training, routine communication with adolescents and their parents, and clinic policies and protocols that can improve the quality of adolescent SRHS.