Parents ASSIST: Acceptability and Feasibility of a Video-Based Educational Series for Sexuality-Inclusive Communication between Parents and Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Sons.

Dalmacio D Flores,Sarah Wood,Trace Kershaw,Jose Bauermeister,Andre Rosario,Jamie Chung,Antonia Villarruel,Kate Hennessy

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010379

Abstract

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) between the ages of 13 and 24 are a key population for HIV prevention. The parents of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) adolescent males and the sex communication they have with their sons has yet to be explored as an HIV prevention intervention. We developed an online video series called Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks) to educate parents about sexual health topics pertinent to GBQ males. We pilot tested the series with a sample of 54 parents of GBQ males using a single-group post-test design. Participants viewed the videos and completed a survey measuring the acceptability and feasibility of an online video series to educate parents. Most of the parents (70.4%) believed that the videos would make parents more likely to initiate talking about sex with their sons. The results suggest that online videos are an acceptable way for parents to learn about GBQ sexual health topics.

Highlights

TchounwouHIV and STIs disproportionately affect gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) adolescent males
Pilot study were to (1) determine the feasibility of enrolling parents of GBQ youth into an online study about targeted sexual health discussions at home, (2) measure the acceptability of animated videos as a means to learn about GBQ-specific topics and communication skills, and (3) collect parental feedback about individual video content and the overall video series
The Parents ASSIST videos are a parent–child sex communication intervention iteratively co-developed with extensive community input with key stakeholders and expert groups

Summary

Introduction

HIV and STIs disproportionately affect gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) adolescent males. Black and Latinx GBQ adolescent males disproportionately affected by HIV diagnoses [2]. Sexual risk behaviors, including condomless intercourse, early debut, and forced sex, are more prevalent among GBQ adolescent males compared to their heterosexual counterparts [3]. Sexual risk behaviors are associated with negative mental health in GBQ adolescent males [4]. The hostile and non-accepting ecological structures in which GBQ youth often operate are linked to negative mental health outcomes including higher reports of depression, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress compared to their heterosexual counterparts [3,5]. 40% of GBQ adolescent males stated that they had seriously considered suicide, compared to 11% of their heterosexual counterparts [5]

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Results

Conclusion