Parent–Child Relationship Quality and Internalizing Problems as Predictors of Risky Sexual Behavior

Abstract

Risky sexual behavior is more prevalent in emerging adult populations and emerging adults engaging in risky sexual behavior also may be experiencing higher levels of internalizing problems. Parents and their relationships with their children maintain relevance in emerging adulthood and may decrease negative outcomes. Thus, the current study examined whether parent–child relationship quality decreased the likelihood of risky sexual behavior via internalizing problems and examined gender dyads between parents and children. Participants included 502 emerging adults (172 males and 330 females) ranging in age from 18 to 25 years. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted and indicated that internalizing problems mediated the relationship between parent (both paternal and maternal)–child relationship quality and risky sexual behavior for both males and females. Maternal–child relationship quality predicted lower internalizing problems more strongly for males than for females, suggesting moderated mediation. Thus, both mothers’ and fathers’ relationship with their children may affect risky sexual behavior indirectly via internalizing problems.