Mother-Daughter Communication about Sexual Behavior and Reproductive Health in Females with Chronic Health Conditions

Abstract

PurposeFemales with chronic health conditions (CHCs) engage in risky sexual behavior at least as frequently as their healthy counterparts. Among healthy youth, mother-daughter communication about sexual behavior and reproductive health protects against risky sexual behavior. Yet, little is known about the nature of this type of communication in female adolescents with CHCs or factors that contribute to communication. This study described mother-daughter communication frequency, timing, and comfort and examined the role of demographic/disease factors and maternal outcome expectancy (OE), in contributing variance to mother-daughter communication about risky sexual behavior and reproductive health. Design and methodsOne hundred mother-daughter dyads from outpatient clinics located within a hospital participated. Daughters [ages 14–19; M(SD) age = 16.28 (1.53)] provided demographic information and mothers self-reported frequency, timing, comfort, and OE of mother-daughter communication about sexual behavior and reproductive health. ResultsReproductive health topics were discussed with the greatest frequency. Condom and birth control use were discussed less often. Overall, maternal comfort levels were high across topics. Maternal positive OE was associated with all communication domains, accounting for between 11 and 21% of the variance beyond relevant demographic factors. ConclusionsFostering positive maternal OE may enhance multiple domains of mother-daughter communication about sexual behavior and reproductive health in samples of female adolescents with various CHCs. Practice implicationsSince mothers with positive OE talk about sexual behavior earlier, more frequently, and with greater comfort; nurses are in a unique position to empower mother-daughter communication about sexual behavior and reproductive health and enhance mother OE during clinical encounters.