The association between acculturation and parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health in Vietnamese families in the U.S. Pubblico
Ujiie, Miho (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Objective. Cultural taboos and gender norms around sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in Vietnamese culture significantly impact SRH communication. This thesis aims to understand how acculturation affects parent-child conversations about SRH topics among U.S. Vietnamese families.
Methods. A secondary data analysis was conducted by using a cross-sectional online survey designed to assess adolescent HPV vaccination status. A sample of 326 mothers and 67 fathers who have children aged between 9 to 18 were included. Acculturation was measured using the Asian American Multidimensional Acculturation Scale as well as the participants’ duration of stay in the U.S. Frequency of SRH communication was measured using the Dutch Health Behavior in School-Aged Children and Parent-Teen Sexual Risk Communication Scale which assessed 7 topic areas including birth control, contraceptives, or condoms, STDs, HIV, pregnancy, postponing or resisting pressure to have sex, being in love and having a romantic relationship, and physical changes during puberty. Bivariate analyses across each of the 7 SRH-related topics were conducted, followed by multivariate models adjusting for parent's gender and educational attainment, child's age, gender, and country of birth.
Results. The least spoken about SRH topic was postponing having sex with 54.2% of parents not discussing this topic, followed by STDs (48.4%) and contraception (47.6%) compared to less avoided topics, such as physical change during puberty (12.7%) and having a romantic relationship (22.9%). Greater American acculturation was associated with a greater likelihood of parents having talked about all 7 SRH topics than those with lower acculturation. However, there was no statistical association between Vietnamese acculturation and SRH communication. Interestingly, parents who have lived in the U.S. for less time, talked about some SRH topics more frequently. Higher parental education and the child being female was associated with a greater likelihood that the parent had spoken to the child about pregnancy. Other important factors associated with frequency of communication of SRH topics were gender of parent and age of child.
Conclusion. Acculturation plays a role in parent-child communication of SRH topics. SRH parent-child communication should be complemented by culturally competent healthcare to support the health of U.S. Vietnamese youth.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
1.1 Context 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 3
1.3 Statement of purpose 5
Chapter 2: Comprehensive Review of Literature 6
2.1 Asian American populations and Vietnamese populations in the U.S. 6
2.2 SRH among Asian American adolescents 7
2.3 Asian Culture and SRH among Asian Americans 9
2.4 Parent Child Communication about SRH 11
2.4.1 Importance and impact of parent-child communications about SRH in general 11
2.4.2 Varied effects of parent-child communication across different race/ethnicity groups 11
2.4.3 Differences in gender 13
2.5 Acculturation 14
2.5.1 Introduction about acculturation and how it influences health behaviors 14
2.5.2 Acculturation and SRH communication 15
2.5.3 Potential influences of acculturation on Asian American parent-child SRH communication 15
2.6 Rationale and identified gaps in scientific literature 16
Chapter 3: Methods and Results 17
3.1 Methods 17
3.1.1 Sample 17
3.1.2 Measurements 19
3.1.3 Statistical Analysis 22
3.2 Results 22
3.2.1 Description of the sample 22
3.2.2 Description of the outcome and primary predictors 23
3.2.3 Relationship between acculturation and SRH communication 26
Chapter 4: Discussion, Limitations & Recommendations, and Conclusions 30
4.1 Discussion 30
4.1.1 Acculturation and SRH parent-child communication 30
4.1.2 Other demographic characteristics associated with SRH communication 34
4.2 Limitations 37
4.3 Recommendations 39
4.4 Conclusions 40
Footnote 42
References 42
Appendix 55
About this Master's Thesis
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