Cross-Cultural Variations in Adolescents’ Perceived Maternal Expectancy and Sexual Initiation

Abstract

Purpose: This study built on previous findings and compared the effects of maternal influences on adolescents’ sexual initiation among four racial and ethnic groups: Asian American Pacific Islanders, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Caucasians. Design/Method: An exploratory, comparative secondary analysis of longitudinal data from 433 Asian American Pacific Islanders, 1,367 African Americans, 1,241 Hispanic Americans, and 4,567 Caucasian adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 years at Wave 1 was conducted using structural equation modeling. Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model guided the modeling and analyses. Results: Adolescents’ sexual initiation was significantly associated with mother–adolescent interactions and adolescents’ perceived maternal sexual expectations. Cross-cultural variations are noted and discussed. Conclusions: Nursing interventions designed to delay adolescents’ sexual initiation need to focus on familial and cultural variations associated with mother–adolescent interactions.