| This dissertation examines the relationship between family communication patterns, family talk about sex and sexual behaviors: safe sex, high risk sex, and avoiding sex. This dissertation offers a structural equation model to explore the associations between the aforementioned constructs. Positive outcomes: avoiding sexual behavior (as mediated by conservative family values) and engaging safe sex behavior, are positively predicted by conformity orientation. Pluralistic families are most likely to have children who report engaging in high risk sex behavior, likewise protective families may also produce this relationship. Ongoing open discussions about sex and sexuality are recommended to mitigate negative (i.e. high risk sex) outcomes in the models. |
