Factores asociados a la comunicación sexual entre padres e hijos adolescentes: análisis secundario a partir de la intervención ‘¡Cuídate!’ en Monterrey, México”

Abstract: Sexual communication between parents and adolescent children is a key factor in the prevention of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Despite its importance, such communication continues to face multiple barriers related to negative attitudes, low self-efficacy, and restrictive social norms. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides a robust theoretical framework for analyzing the psychosocial determinants of this behavior. Objective: To examine the correlations among a set of key variables related to sexual communication between parents and adolescent children, using secondary data derived from the previous implementation of the “¡Cuídate!” intervention in Monterrey, Mexico. The variables analyzed included sexual risk knowledge, subjective norms, self-efficacy, attitudes toward sexual communication, perceived comfort, communication intention, and sexual communication behavior. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study with correlational analysis was conducted. Validated Spanish-language instruments were used to measure each variable. Data analysis was performed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, as the variables did not meet normality assumptions. Results: Self-efficacy showed significant positive correlations with sexual communication (ρ = .62, p < .001), communication intention (ρ = .52, p < .001), and perceived comfort (ρ = .44, p < .001). Subjective norms were also significantly associated with intention (ρ = .52, p < .001) and sexual communication (ρ = .42, p < .001). In contrast, unfavorable attitudes were negatively correlated with self-efficacy, comfort, and sexual risk knowledge. Sexual risk knowledge did not show significant correlations with the other behavioral variables. Conclusions: Self-efficacy and subjective norms emerge as key elements to be strengthened in future interventions. It is recommended that programs move beyond the mere transmission of information and incorporate emotional and cultural components that foster positive beliefs and parental confidence, with the aim of establishing effective and protective communication in the context of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.