African American Grandparents' and Adolescent Grandchildren's Sexuality Communication

Abstract

This exploratory study uses survey methodology to generate data on grandparent—grandchild sexuality communications and attitudes and feelings about these processes. The sample includes 40 African American grandparent— grandchild dyads for a total of 80 participants recruited from five churches. One open-ended question asks the participants about their willingness to use churches as venues in HIV prevention. Grandparents have more positive attitudes and feelings about sexuality communications than their adolescent grandchildren. Both grandparents and their adolescent grandchildren are receptive to the idea of using churches as venues in HIV prevention and provide recommendations about how a church-based sexuality program could be developed. The role of grandparents is constantly being redefined; therefore, we must continue to examine the needs of this population and the grandchildren they are raising. Nurses can build on the study's findings to develop church-based sexuality programs.