Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Joyce Baptist / Quality of couples sexual communication remains an understudied area, despite its link with important relational outcomes such as relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction and condom use. Using a sample of 441 college students, this study examined how parent-child sexual communication (frequency, quality and permissive and restrictive messages) is related to sexual attitudes (permissive and idealistic) and couples sexual communication. Results suggests quality of couples sexual communication was positively related to frequency of parent-child sexual communication and negatively related to quality of parent-child sexual communication. There was not a significant relationship between the types of messages about sexuality from parents and quality of couples sexual communication. However, permissive parental messages were positively related to permissive sexual attitudes and restrictive parental messages was negatively related to permissive sexual attitudes. Idealistic sexual attitudes were found to be positively related to couples sexual communication. Finally, idealistic sexual attitudes marginally mediated the relationship between quality of parent-child sexual communication and quality of couples sexual communication. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Melinda Markham / The following three studies examine school-based sexuality education and parent-child sexual communication. Using findings from qualitative data, the studies address what information is missing and/or needed in sexuality education delivered by parents and the school system, and to determine the best methods to deliver the information. Study 1 identifies the need for a change in sexuality education discourse, especially for women. Study 2 identifies the important need for parents to keep in mind the environment, the methods, and the timing of their parent-child sexual communication. Finally, study 3 assesses novel and discussion question use in mother-daughter sexual communication. Implications are provided for Family Life Educators, Sexuality Educators, and Policymakers.

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