A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF AIDS CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN MOTHERS AND ADOLESCENTS

The current study examined the stability of mother-adolescent AIDS con versations. Twenty-four mother-adolescent dyads (9 boys, 15 girls) par ticipated at Time 1 (adolescents aged 10-14 years), and again 2 years later. Mothers and adolescents engaged in a videotaped conversation ab out AIDS and completed AIDS questionnaires. Conversations were coded f or content and the extent to which mothers dominated conversations. Co nversational dominance remained stable over time. AIDS knowledge was g reater for mothers than adolescents, but it improved over time for ado lescents while remaining stable for mothers. Mothers who reported disc ussing AIDS-related topics with their adolescents had less discrepancy between their own and their children's AIDS knowledge. Conversational dominance at Time 1 predicted discrepancy in AIDS knowledge 2 years l ater, whereas discrepancy in AIDS knowledge at Time 1 did not predict conversational dominance two years later. These results suggest the im portance of interactive conversations as a more effective way of teach ing than didactic conversations.