This qualitative study of 14 Southern Baptist mother-daughter dyads uses grounded theory to explore the attitudes these mothers and daughters hold toward sexuality, religiosity, and spirituality, in addition to how they communicate with each other about these topics. Themes that emerge from the data include abstinence before marriage, lack of interest in sexual behavior, peer influence, parental monitoring, extracurricular activities, the parent-child relationship, shame versus self-respect, and an orientation to the future. This research provides a description of the way in which Southern Baptist mothers and daughters communicate about spirituality and sexuality and reveals the effect this communication has on these adolescent girls. Implications for further research as well as the clinical implications of this study provide guidance for professionals in this area.
Adeyemo, M.O.A., & Brieger, W.R. (1995). Dissemination of family life education to adolescents by their parents in suburban Ibadan, Nigeria. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 15, 241-252.
2.
Amey, C.H., Albrecht, S.L., & Miller, M.K. (1996). Racial differences in adolescent drug use: The impact of religion. Substance Use and Misuse, 31, 1311-1332.
3.
Baldwin, S.E., & Baranoski, M.V. (1990). Family interactions and sex education in the home. Adolescence, 25, 573-582.
4.
Banks, I.W., & Wilson, P.I. (1989). Appropriate sex education for black teens. Adolescence, 24, 233-247.
5.
Barth, R.P., Fetro, J.V., Leland, N., & Volkan, K. (1992). Preventing adolescent pregnancy with social and cognitive skills. Journal of Adolescent Research, 7, 208-232.
6.
Bauman, L.J., Karasz, A., & Hamilton, A. (2007). Understanding failure of condom use intention among adolescents: Completing an intensive preventive intervention. Journal of Adolescent Research, 22, 248-274.
7.
Baumeister, L.M., Flores, E., & Marin, B.V. (1995). Sex information given to Latina adolescents by parents. Health Education Research, 10, 233-239.
8.
Baumer, E.P., & South, S.J. (2001). Community effects on youth sexual activity. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy, 63, 540-554.
9.
Boldero, J., & Fallon, B. (1995). Adolescent help-seeking: What do they get help for and from whom?Journal of Adolescence, 18, 193-209.
10.
Brewster, K.L., Cooksey, E.C., & Guilkey, D.K. (1998). The changing impact of religion on the sexual and contraceptive behavior of adolescent women in the United States. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60, 493-504.
11.
Campolo, T. (1988). Twenty hot potatoes Christians are afraid to touch . Dallas, TX: Word Publishing.
12.
Cannister, M.W. (1999). Mentoring and the spiritual well-being of late adolescents. Adolescence, 34, 769-779.
13.
De Gaston, J.F., Weed, S., & Jensen, L. (1996). Understanding gender differences in adolescent sexuality. Adolescence, 31, 217-231.
14.
DiBlasio, F.A., & Benda, B.B. (1994). A conceptual model of sexually active peer association . Youth & Society, 25(3), 351-367.
15.
Foshee, V.A., & Hollinger, B.R. (1996). Maternal religiosity, adolescent social bonding, and adolescent alcohol use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 16, 451-468.
16.
Hardy, S.A., & Raffaelli, M. (2003). Adolescent religiosity and sexuality: An investigation of reciprocal influences. Journal of Adolescence, 26, 731-739.
17.
Hartos, J.L., & Power, T.G. (2000). Association between mother and adolescent reports for assessing relations between parent-adolescent communication and adolescent adjustment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29, 441-450.
18.
Hester, J. (Ed.). (1993). Christian sex education. Nashville, TN: Family Touch.
19.
Hester, J., & Ross, R. (1992). True Love Waits: Purpose. Available via e-mail: truelovewaits@ lifeway.com.
20.
Hutchinson, M.K. (2002). The influence of sexual risk communication between parents and daughters on sexual risk behaviors. Family Relations , 51, 238-247.
21.
Kim, J.L., & Ward, L.M. (2007). Silence speaks volumes: Parental sexual communication among Asian American emerging adults. Journal of Adolescent Research, 22, 3-31.
22.
Kirby, D. (1985). The effects of selected sexuality education programs: Toward a more realistic view. Journal of Sex Education & Therapy, 11, 28-37.
23.
Kowal, A.K., & Blinn-Pike, L. (2004). Sibling influences on adolescents' attitudes toward safe sex practices. Family Relations, 53, 377-384.
24.
Lanford, S. (1993a). Knowing who you are as a parent. Nashville, TN: Family Touch.
25.
Lanford, S. (1993b). Sex! What's that?Nashville, TN: Family Touch.
26.
Lefkowitz, E.S., Boone, T.L., Au, T.K., & Sigman, M. (2003). No sex or safe sex? Mothers' and adolescents' discussions about sexuality and AIDS/HIV. Health Education Research Theory & Practice, 18(3), 341-351.
27.
Lefkowitz, E.S., Kahlbaugh, P.E., & Sigman, M.D. (1996). Turn-taking in mother-adolescent conversations about sexuality and conflict. Journal of Youth and Adolescence , 25, 307-321.
28.
Lefkowitz, E.S., Sigman, M., & Au, T.K. (2000). Helping mothers discuss sexuality and AIDS with adolescents. Child Development, 71, 1383-1394.
29.
Martin, P.Y., & Turner, B.A. (1986). Grounded theory and organizational research. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 22(2), 141-157.
30.
McBeth, H.L. (1990). A sourcebook for Baptist heritage. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
31.
Meschke, L.L., Bartholomae, S., & Zentall, S.R. (2000). Adolescent sexuality and parent-adolescent processes: Promoting healthy teen choices. Family Relations, 49, 143-154.
32.
Moore, S., & Rosenthal, D. (1991). Adolescents' perceptions of friends' and parents' attitudes to sex and sexual risk-taking. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 1, 189-200.
33.
Pluhar, E.I., & Kuriloff, P. (2004). What really matters in family communication about sexuality? A qualitative analysis of affect and style among African American mothers and adolescent daughters. Sex Education, 4(3), 303-321.
34.
Rafuls, S.E., & Moon, S.M. (1996). Grounded theory methodology in family therapy research. In D. H. Sprenkle & S. M. Moon (Eds.), Research methods in family therapy (pp. 64-80). New York: Guilford .
35.
Romo, L.F., Nadeem, E., Au, T.K., & Sigman, M. (2004). Mexican-American adolescents' responsiveness to their mothers' questions about dating and sexuality. AppliedDevelopmental Psychology, 25, 501-522.
36.
Santor, D.A., Messervey, D., & Kusumakar, V. (2000). Measuring peer pressure, popularity, and conformity in adolescent boys and girls: Predicting school performance, sexual attitudes, and substance abuse. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29, 163-182.
37.
Sterk, C.E., Elifson, K.W., & Theall, K. (2000). Women and drug treatment experiences: A generational comparison of mothers and daughters. Journal of Drug Issues , 30, 839-861.
38.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
39.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
40.
Wallace, J.M., & Forman, T.A. (1998). Religion's role in promoting health and reducing risk among American youth. Health Education & Behavior , 25, 721-741.
