Associations Between Adolescent Perceptions of Parental Interactions and Adolescent Sexual ...

224 Pages·2016·0.99 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
Associations Between Adolescent Perceptions of
Parental Interactions and Adolescent Sexual
Behaviors
Shakesha (Shai) Fairley
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Shakesha Fairley

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Medha Talpade, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Megan Baril, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Elisha Galaif, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract
Associations Between Adolescent Perceptions of Parental Interactions and
Adolescent Sexual Behaviors
by
Shakesha Fairley

MA, Cameron University, 2006
BS, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 2004

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Health Psychology

Walden University
September 2016
Abstract
Sexual risk behaviors among U.S. adolescents is a major public health concern.
Adolescents are contracting sexually transmitted diseases at alarming rates. The purpose
of this research was to identify factors related to parent-child interactions that influence
adolescent sexual behaviors. A combination of attachment theory and family systems
theory was used to help explain how adolescent sexual choices (age of sexual debut, use
of birth control, use of condoms, multiple sex partners in a 12-month period) are affected
by the perceived quality of parent-child interactions (maternal/parental closeness,
monitoring, communication, and involvement). Archival data from the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics National Longitudinal Survey of Child and Young Adult cohort 1979
(NLSY79) was used for this research. A sample of 11,504 adolescents aged 12 to 19
years, and their biological mothers who participated in the longitudinal survey, was
drawn. Nonparametric analyses revealed significant differences in adolescent perceptions
of maternal and paternal closeness and maternal perceptions of maternal and paternal
closeness. Logistic regression analyses revealed that adolescents’ perceptions of parental
engagement (maternal and paternal closeness, monitoring, communication, and
involvement) significantly affected their sexual choices (age of sexual debut, use of birth
control, condoms, and multiple partners). The results of this study can be used to initiate
positive social change by informing parents, program developers, and researchers.
Developing strategies to guide parents and adolescents to develop positive perceptions of
the interactions, closing the gap between adolescent and parental perceptions of
interactions, will help reduce adolescent risky sexual behaviors, thereby benefiting the
individuals, families, and the community.
Associations Between Adolescent Perceptions of Parental Interactions and
Adolescent Sexual Behaviors
by
Shakesha Fairley

MA, Cameron University, 2006
BS, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 2004

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Health Psychology

Walden University
September 2016
Dedication
First and foremost, I give sincere thanks and gratitude to my Almighty God for
His grace, mercy, and protection for seeing me through this process.
This dissertation is dedicated to the most important people in my life. I dedicate
this study to my loving daughters, Destiny and Ashauntee Fairley. Destiny and
Ashauntee, your strength, support, encouragement, and sacrifices kept me motivated.
Thank you for your encouraging words, your smiles, and your hugs, especially when
times were hard. I love you, and we did it—team of three!!
I also dedicate my dissertation to my wonderful mother, Daphne Hunter, who
always—no matter what time of day or night—listened to my pains and frustrations, but
kept me encouraged and cheered me on.
Acknowledgments
This has been a long and arduous journey, but I appreciate everyone that has
guided and mentored me on this voyage.
It is with such great gratitude that I thank my chair Dr. Talpade. She is an
amazing chair, mentor, and motivator. Her guidance throughout this study taught me
much about research, but most importantly, much about myself. Also, the mentoring and
encouraging words of my expert committee member Dr. Baril, throughout the
dissertation process, helped me tremendously not to give in and give up. Also, I thank Dr.
Baril for challenging my research, resulting in me seeing the benefit of my work in
multiple ways. I am also thankful for my University Research Reviewer, Dr. Galiaf. Her
advice and expertise really helped shape my dissertation. I have benefited immensely
from you all in the development and completion of my dissertation.
Next, I am forever in debt to my daughters. Many days and nights over the years
they sacrificed quality time with me. They gave up activities, including sleepovers and
going to the movies, believing I was tired and needed rest. Thank you mommy’s babies
for your patience! To my lovely mother, Daphne Hunter, and best friend Michelle Dwyer,
I thank you both for your love and constant support. Michelle, I deeply appreciate you for
listening to my frustrations and thank you for proofreading my dissertation. Your
constant reprimands regarding my sentence structure, including transitions, comma
splices, and wordiness, have given me PTSD with respect to writing. I love and thank you
all from the bottom of my heart!!
I also thank my wonderful co-workers, especially Kenyetta Walker, for praying
for me and encouraging me when I came to work looking and feeling defeated and
exhausted. Also, I would like thank my father Michael Baker and my stepmother Lisa
Baker for constantly praying for me. Special thanks to my church family at The Ridge
Fellowship, for sending me wonderful scriptures of encouragement and for your prayers!
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background of the Study .............................................................................................13
Problem Statement .......................................................................................................16
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................17
Research Questions and Hypotheses ...........................................................................18
Theoretical Framework for the Study ..........................................................................21
Categories of Attachment ..................................................................................... 23
Internal Working Models ...................................................................................... 26
Attachment in Research ........................................................................................ 27
Family Systems Theory ........................................................................................ 29
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................31
Definition of Terms......................................................................................................32
Assumptions .................................................................................................................36
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................37
Limitations ...................................................................................................................39
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................40
Social Change Implications .........................................................................................41
Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................43
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................46
Search Strategies ..........................................................................................................46
Theoretical Background ...............................................................................................48
i
Bowlby’s Attachment Theory ............................................................................... 48
Family Systems Theory ........................................................................................ 53
Theoretical Synthesis ...................................................................................................56
Phases and Vulnerabilities of Adolescence .................................................................58
Family Systems Theory and Adolescent Sexual Research ................................... 63
Predictors of Adolescent Sexual Behavior ........................................................... 65
Perceived Parental-Child Interactions................................................................... 60
Parent-Adolescent Attachment and Sexual Behaviors ......................................... 71
Aspects of the Parent-Adolescent Relationship ...........................................................75
Maternal Closeness ............................................................................................... 75
Paternal Closeness ................................................................................................ 76
Parental Involvement ............................................................................................ 78
Communication ..................................................................................................... 78
Parental Monitoring .............................................................................................. 79
Methodology ................................................................................................................81
Summary ......................................................................................................................82
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................85
Research Design and Approach ...................................................................................86
Population and Sample ................................................................................................87
Sample Size Analysis ............................................................................................ 88
Instrumentation and Materials .....................................................................................89
External Validity ................................................................................................... 90
Parent-Adolescent Factors ...........................................................................................90
ii