PARENT-ADOLESCENT DIALOGUES ABOUT AIDS

Little is known about the socialization of compassion, intimacy, sexua lity, and risk management within family contexts. In this study, the a uthors observed parents and young adolescents (N = 140 dyads) in Grade s 6-8 during structured communication tasks focused on AIDS. Communica tion styles were compared across gender pairings, and their relations with AIDS-related knowledge, worry, and stigmatizing attitudes were ex amined. Parents were more mutual with daughters and more directive tow ard sons. Girls were more mutual and expressive than boys, whereas boy s were more withdrawn. Father-son dyads were particularly distinctive. Student stigmatizing attitudes were associated with low levels of bot h positive engagement in students and support from parents during the interaction. Discussion focused on family relations during early adole scence and implications for family involvement in AIDS prevention effo rts.