What Parents Want: Designing an Interactive Web-Based Program to Improve Parent-Adolescent Communication About Sex
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Background: Parent-child communication is associated with decreased adolescent sexual risk-taking. To date, interventions targeting parent-child communication have been delivered via face-to-face formats. However, online interventions offer several advantages: cost, reach, program fidelity, anonymity and opportunity for individualized feedback. Objective: The present study sought to identify parents’ preferences regarding interactive features for a web-based program to improve parent-child communication about sex. Methods: We conducted seven focus groups with parents (n=29) in Allegheny County, PA to identify their preferences for interactive features to be included in the web program. Results: Parents identified four main interactive features: Ask the Expert, Chat Rooms, Supplementary Information Delivery Modes and Links to Face-to-Face Programming. Parents were interested in receiving individualized feedback regarding their questions/concerns, as well as online peer support. They were also interested in receiving information through other communication tools (texts, email, mail) and having the program connect them to face-to-face programs or seminars. Lastly, parents expressed their desire that the web intervention include a component for children. Conclusions: Understanding what interactive features parents want can help optimize program completion and satisfaction. Public Health Significance: Web-based programs have the potential to reach a large number of parents equipping them with new knowledge and skills to influence their adolescent’s sexual health behaviors.
Author: Abigail Johnson
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W569111508