Condom Use Self-Efficacy Among Younger Rural Adolescents: The Influence of Parent-Teen Communication, and Knowledge of and Attitudes Towards Condoms

This study examines the role of condom use knowledge and attitudes, and parent-teen communication about sex and relationship quality on reports of condom use self-efficacy among rural, African American youth. 124 youth (10-14 years) from five counties in rural, eastern North Carolina participated in the study. Results indicated that higher condom use self-efficacy predicted greater condom knowledge (β = 1.02; p = .0002), more favorable attitudes toward condom use (β = -1.49; p < .0001), and having more frequent and open parent-teen communication about sex and dating (β = 0.34; p =.01). We also found low agreement between parents and youth on measures related to parent-teen communication about sex. Findings call for interventions targeting improvement of condom use knowledge among early adolescents, as well as parent-teen communication about sex. Additionally, given the low parent-teen agreement regarding sexual communication, parent-teen sexual communication is an important point of intervention.