Adolescent sexual risk-taking behavior in single-parent ethnic minority families

Relationships of maternal sexual behavior, mother-adolescent communication about sex, and maternal attitudes about adolescent sexuality to adolescent sexual risk-taking behavior were examined in a sample of 397 Black and Hisp anic families headed by single mothers. Some support emerged for a positive relationship between maternal sexual risk-taking behavior and adolescent r isk-taking behavior; however, when considered in the context of communicati on about sex and maternal attitudes about adolescent sexuality, the relatio nship was no longer significant. When the process of sexual communication b etween a mother and an adolescent was open and receptive, less adolescent r isk-taking behavior was reported. The role of single mothers in influencing their adolescents' sexual behavior is discussed.