Between Judgment and Guidance: How Parental Communication Styles Shape Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Wakiso District, Uganda

Abbey Kauma Ssevume; Fredrick Makumbi; Elizabeth Nabiwemba; Martin Spray; Mafigiri Kaawa; Christopher Garimoi Orach

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.57637

Between Judgment and Guidance: How Parental Communication Styles Shape Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Wakiso District, Uganda

Author(s)	Mr. Abbey Kauma Ssevume, Prof. Fredrick Makumbi, Dr. Elizabeth Nabiwemba, Dr. Martin Spray, Dr. Mafigiri Kaawa, Prof. Christopher Garimoi Orach
Country	Uganda
Abstract	Background: Adolescents in Uganda face significant sexual health risks, accounting for two-thirds of new HIV infections. While parent-adolescent communication is critical for promoting healthy sexual behaviors, cultural barriers often hinder effective dialogue. This study examines how parental communication styles influence adolescent sexual behavior in Wakiso District, Uganda. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted with 646 adolescents (14-17 years) from 64 villages. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using chi-square tests. Qualitative data from 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were thematically analyzed to explore communication experiences. Results: Among participants, 14.9% (n=91) were sexually active, with 61.54% reporting unprotected sex during their last encounter and 49.45% having multiple partners. Parental communication quality significantly predicted sexual behavior: feeling misjudged (χ²=20.18, p<0.001) and sex talk as a source of conflict (χ²=8.22, p=0.016) were strongly associated with risky behaviors. Qualitative findings revealed three key themes: (1) fear of parental punishment suppressing communication ("If you tell Dad, you'll get endless beatings"), (2) peer pressure driving multiple partnerships ("Couples who date are like celebrities"), and (3) generational shifts in sexual norms ("Virginity doesn't matter like before"). Conclusion: Current parent-adolescent sex talk in Uganda is often reactive, judgmental, and initiated too late. Interventions should train parents in motivational interviewing techniques to foster non-judgmental, proactive communication before sexual debut. Community programs must address cultural taboos to improve adolescent sexual health outcomes and support Uganda's SDG targets.
Keywords	Adolescent health, parent-child communication, sexual behavior, motivational interviewing.
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2025
Published On	2025-10-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.57637

View / Download PDF File

E-ISSN 2582-2160

doi

CrossRef DOI is assigned to each research paper published in our journal.

IJFMR DOI prefix is
10.36948/ijfmr

Downloads

Research Paper Format Copyright Permission Form and Undertaking Form Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 2 Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 1 Cover Page Vol 7 Isu 6

All research papers published on this website are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, and all rights belong to their respective authors/researchers.

CC-BY-SA

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Between Judgment and Guidance: How Parental Communication Styles Shape Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Wakiso District, Uganda

Share this