Adolescents’ perceptions of maternal disapproval of sex: relationship to sexual outcomes11The full text of this article is available online at www.elsevier.com/locate/jahonline.

Adolescent perceptions of maternal attitudes tended to be a more consistent predictor of outcomes than actual maternal attitudes, and only relationship satisfaction was predictive of the use of birth control, such that more satisfied adolescents were more likely to use birth control at their most recent intercourse.

Abstract

The results are consistent with a growing body of literature that suggests the importance of adolescents' perceptions of maternal attitudes in determining sexual risk behaviors. Adolescents may misperceive the attitudes of parents, suggesting the need for communication between parent and teen.