An examination of the effects of parent-child sexual discussion on the college-age student's sexual attitudes, behaviors, and histories

Author

Mary Garrison

Date of Award

6-1988

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Social Work

Major Professor

Roger Nooe

Committee Members

Maryanne Lynch, Margaret Strong, James Orten

Abstract

This study determined the effect of parent-child sexual discussion on self-esteem and age of first voluntary sexual intercourse. This study also determined the effect of self-esteem on number of sexual partners and the effect of age of first sexual intercourse on level of satisfaction with present sex life. A sample of male and female college students (N=37) from a large southeastern university was administered the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and a sexual behavior/attitude questionnaire. The Goodman's and Kruskal's Gamma test for significance was used to test the four hypotheses and all were found significant (at p > .05). The findings indicated: as parent-child sexual discussion increases so does self-esteem and age of first sexual intercourse; as self-esteem increases, number of sexual partners decreases; and as age of first sexual intercourse increases, level of satisfaction with present sex life also increases. Implications for practice focused on family and parental education regarding communication.

Recommended Citation

Garrison, Mary, "An examination of the effects of parent-child sexual discussion on the college-age student's sexual attitudes, behaviors, and histories. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1988.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/13205