Table 1.
Measures of Potential Influences on Communication
| Measure and number of items | Question | Sample items | Response categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measures of perception of threat | |||
| Parent attitudes toward teen sex (2 items) | For each of the following, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the statement. | Sexual activity is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects for teens. You disapprove of {child name} being sexually active as a young teenager. |
1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) |
| Perception of likelihood child will become sexually active as a young teen (1 item) | How likely do you think {child name} would be to be sexually active if asked by someone [he/she] was dating as a young teen? | - | 1 (very likely) to 4 (not at all likely) |
| Measures of perceived benefits of talking | |||
| Expectations of outcomes of talking about sex (6 items) | What are your expectations about talking with {child name}? If you talk early and often with {child name} about sexual topics (such as waiting to be sexually active until he/she is older). . . | . . . {child name} will be less likely to be sexually active as a young teen . . . {child name} will think you are a hypocrite |
1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) |
| Measures of barriers and facilitators to communication | |||
| Shared activities with child (6 items) | For the following list of activities, indicate whether this is something you and {child name} do together at least once a week, at least once a month, less often, or never. | Gone shopping Done homework or school projects when school is in session |
1 (at least once a week) to 4 (never) |
| Closeness to child (5 items) | How often would it be true for you to make each of the following statements about {child name}? | You get along well with [him/her] {Child name} and you make decisions about [his/her] life together |
1 (always) to 4 (never) |
| Conflict with child (1 item) | During the past 12 months, how often had you argued or had a fight with {child name}? | - | 1 (0 times) to 5 (10 or more times) |
| Self-efficacy for communication about sex (4 items) | How sure are you that you can always explain to {child name} . . . | . . . why he/she should wait until he/she is older to be sexually active . . . how to make a [boy/girl] wait until [he/she] is ready to be sexually active |
1 (completely sure) to 7 (not sure at all) |
| Barriers to communication about sex (3 items) | How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? | You really don't know enough about sexual activity or waiting to have sex to talk about them with {child name}. It is easy for you to find the time to talk with {child name} about sexual activity and waiting to have sex. |
1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) |
| Beliefs about timing of talking about sex (1 item) | How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? | You are sure this is the right developmental time to talk with {child name} about sexual activity and waiting to have sex. | 1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree) |