Risky Sexual Behavior of Foreign-Born and Native-Born Emerging Adults: Influence of Mother-Daughter Relationships during Adolescence

Goleen Samari, University of California, Los Angeles

Risky sexual behaviors are increasingly common among foreign and native-born emerging adults. Little is known about whether adolescent-parent relationships continue influencing risk behaviors in young adulthood. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health Waves I (1994-95) and III (2001-02), I examine longitudinal associations between mother-daughter relationship quality, communication and nativity status during adolescence with young adult risky sexual behaviors including condom use at last intercourse, number of sexual partners in the last 12 months, and STI diagnosis in the last 12 months. Higher mother-daughter relationship quality was associated with fewer sexual partners and STIs in the last 12 months, even when accounting for prior sexual activity. The addition of nativity did not affect the association between quality and communication on risk behaviors in young adulthood. These results demonstrate that relationship quality with mothers continues to exert an influence as foreign and native-born daughters transition to young adulthood.