Abstract

In this study, I investigated how mindfulness and sexual mindfulness (i.e. awareness and non-judgment) related to sexual consent beliefs among adolescents, and how these relationships were influenced by mothers' and fathers' communication about sex. My approach was grounded in Self-Determination Theory, which posits that healthy sexuality is best achieved when self-determined sexual relationships meet the fundamental human needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Previous research has suggested a positive link between mindfulness and sexual mindfulness and sexual consent beliefs among teenagers. On one hand, effective open communication between parents and children, especially regarding sensitive topics such as sexuality, can enhance the parent-child relationship and foster mindfulness in adolescents. On the other hand, negative or controlling communication may not influence an environment for mindfulness to flourish. Overall, mothers' and fathers' ways of communicating about sex have been found to shape adolescents' sexual attitudes and behaviors. To test my hypotheses, I used two cross-sectional moderation models with data from the Healthy Sexuality Project Wave 2. My sample included 128 sexually active adolescents. My results indicated that adolescents' sexual mindful awareness positively related to their sexual consent beliefs, while mothers' open communication enhanced the relationship between trait mindfulness and consent beliefs.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2023-12-14

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13489

Keywords

Parent-adolescent sex communication, mindfulness, sexual mindfulness, sexual consent, open communication, control communication

Language

english

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