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Recent adolescent sexual health study shatters stereotypes

News — MONTREAL, June 15, 2011 鈥� The results of a national online study show that 45% consider their parents to be their sexuality role model. Shattering stereotypes that parents and society hold about teen sexuality, the survey also revealed that only 32% looked to their friends and just 15% took inspiration from celebrities. Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier, a researcher at the University of Montreal鈥檚 affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre will be presenting the results at the Canadian Paediatric Society鈥檚 88th Annual Conference on June 18, 2011.

Importantly, the survey also revealed that many of the teenagers who look to their parents live in families where sexuality is openly discussed, and that moreover, teenagers in these families have a greater awareness of the risks and consequences of sexually transmitted infections. 鈥淕ood communication within families and especially around sexual health issues is associated with more responsible behaviours,鈥� Frappier said.

However, 78% of the mothers who participated in the survey believed that their children modeled their friends鈥� sexual behaviour, and that a lack of involvement of communication with fathers is especially detrimental. 鈥淧arents seem to underestimate their role and the impact that they have,鈥� Frappier noted. 鈥淗ealth professionals and the media have an important role to play in empowering parents and enabling them to increase their communications with their children with regards to sexual health issues.鈥�

The survey involved 1139 mothers of teenagers and 1171 youths between 14 and 17 years of age. The questionnaire touched on topics such as sources of sexual health information, communication about sexual health, family functioning and sexual activities. This study was financed in part by a grant from Merck Frosst Co. The University of Montreal is known officially as Universit茅 de Montr茅al. The Research Centre of the CHU Sainte-Justine is known officially as the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine.

Links:鈥� Canadian Paediatric Society鈥檚 88th Annual Conference

Important media note:Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier鈥檚 availability for interviews is extremely limited: 09:45-12:30 and 17:00-18:30 on Thursday, June 17, 2011.