Connectedness as a Predictor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes for Youth

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.11.214

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 46, Issue 3, Supplement, March 2010, Pages S23-S41

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.11.214 Get rights and content

Abstract

To review research examining the influence of “connectedness” on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH). Connectedness, or bonding, refers to the emotional attachment and commitment a child makes to social relationships in the family, peer group, school, community, or culture. A systematic review of behavioral research (1985–2007) was conducted. Inclusion criteria included examination of the association between a connectedness sub-construct and an ASRH outcome, use of multivariate analyses, sample size of ≥100, and publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Results were coded as protective, risk, or no association, and as longitudinal, or cross sectional. Findings from at least two longitudinal studies for a given outcome with consistent associations were considered sufficient evidence for a protective or risk association. Eight connectedness sub-constructs were reviewed: family connectedness (90 studies), parent–adolescent general communication (16 studies), parent–adolescent sexuality communication (58 studies), parental monitoring (61 studies), peer connectedness (nine studies), partner connectedness (12 studies), school connectedness (18 studies), and community connectedness (four studies). There was sufficient evidence to support a protective association with ASRH outcomes for family connectedness, general and sexuality-specific parent–adolescent communication, parental monitoring, partner connectedness, and school connectedness. Sufficient evidence of a risk association was identified for the parent overcontrol sub-construct of parental monitoring. Connectedness can be a protective factor for ASRH outcomes, and efforts to strengthen young people's pro-social relationships are a promising target for approaches to promote ASRH. Further study regarding specific sub-constructs as well as their combined influence is needed.

Section snippets

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of nonintervention, behavioral research published between 1985 and 2007. The search terms included variations of the Boolean terms for sexual behavior (e.g., sex, coital, intercourse), sexual and reproductive health outcomes (e.g., pregnancy, STIs, HIV),adolescence (e.g., youth, teen, middle school, high school), and terms related to the youth development construct of connectedness. Search terms and selection criteria were adapted from a search

Results

Results are summarized in the following paragraphs for each of the eight connectedness sub-constructs. Over 190 articles met the inclusion criteria. An evidence table providing detailed descriptions of each article (e.g., sample characteristics, measures, and findings) is available on request from the lead author. Longitudinal findings are summarized in the text as they relate to the a priori standard of evidence demonstrating a protective or risk association. Cross-sectional findings are

Discussion

As summarized in Table 3, this review found sufficient evidence to support a protective association between ASRH outcomes and six connectedness sub-constructs: family connectedness, parent–adolescent general communication, parent–adolescent sexual communication, parental monitoring, partner connectedness (for females), and school connectedness. All six demonstrated evidence for delaying sexual initiation (ever had sex) or for protecting against early sexual debut. Four sub-constructs were also

Conclusions

This review indicates that connectedness can be a protective factor for responsible ASRH outcomes. PYD programs that provide supportive relationships with pro-social adults, a sense of belonging, and appropriate structure may have a positive effect on sexual and reproductive health, as well as other youth outcomes. Furthermore, integration of family, school, and community efforts in PYD programs may provide a synergy to enhance these effects. There is a critical need for additional measurement

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: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Review articleConnectedness as a Predictor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes for Youth

Abstract

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

J Adolesc Health

Dev Rev

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

Soc Sci Med

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

Prev Med

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

Evol Hum Behav

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

J Adolesc Health

Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000

Perspect Sex Reprod Health

The estimated direct medical cost of sexually transmitted diseases among American youth, 2000

Perspect Sex Reprod Health

Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy

Making the List: Understanding, Selecting, and Replicating Effective Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs

Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs

Prevention Treatment

Preventing Problems, Promoting Development, Encouraging Engagement: Competing Priorities or Inseperable Goals?

ETR Associates. Sexual Risk and Protective Factors. Factors Affecting Teen Sexual Behavior, Pregnancy, Childbearing and Sexually Transmitted Disease: Which are Important? Which can you Change?

The association between multiple youth assets and sexual behavior

Am J Health Promot

Protecting adolescents from harm. Findings from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health

JAMA

The role of families in adolescent HIV prevention: A review

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev

A comparison of the demographic, lifestyle, and sexual behaviour characteristics of virgin and non-virgin adolescents

Can J Hum Sex

Maternal expectations, mother-child connectedness, and adolescent sexual debut

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med

Reciprocal associations between adolescent sexual activity and quality of youth-parent interactions

J Fam Psychol

Gender differences of neighborhood and social control processes: A study of the timing of first intercourse among low-achieving, urban, African American youth

Youth Soc

Adolescent perceptions of maternal approval of birth control and sexual risk behavior

Am J Public Health

The timing of sexual intercourse among adolescents: Family, peer, and other antecedents

Youth Soc

The parent-child relationship and opportunities for adolescents' first sex

J Fam Issues

Parent-child interaction during adolescence, and the adolescent's sexual experience: Control, closeness, and conflict

J Youth Adolesc

Maternal characteristics, parenting, and adolescent sexual behavior: The role of self-control

Deviant Behav

Preadolescent parenting strategies and teens' dating and sexual initiation: A longitudinal analysis

J Marriage Fam

Neighborhood and family contexts of adolescent sexual activity

J Marriage Fam

Sociocultural contexts of time to first sex among Hispanic adolescents

J Marriage Fam

Predicting adolescents' initiation of intercourse and contraceptive use

J Appl Soc Psychol

Early initiation of sexual intercourse: The influence of psychosocial unconventionality

J Res Adolesc

Adolescent sexual activity: An ecological, risk-factor approach

J Marriage Fam

Sexual intercourse and pregnancy among African American girls in high-poverty neighborhoods: The role of family and perceived community environment

J Marriage Fam

Family connectedness and sexual risk-taking among urban youth attending alternative high schools

Perspect Sex Reprod Health

Abstinence among female adolescents: Do parents matter above and beyond the influence of peers?

Am J Orthopsychiatry

Family functioning and early onset of sexual intercourse in Latino adolescents

Adolescence

Maternal correlates of adolescent sexual and contraceptive behavior

Fam Plann Perspect

Review article
Connectedness as a Predictor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes for Youth