Long-Term Effects of a Church-Based Sex Education Program on Adolescent Communication

This study examines the effects of a church-based sex education program on sexual communication between adolescents and their parents and peers on such sexual topics as values, sexual attraction, and sexual identity. Sex education programs have recently focused on interpersonal aspects of sexuality, including communication, in an effort to provide thorough coverage of sexual issues as well as basic knowledge. In the current study, a pretest, posttest, follow-up design including a control group was used to assess changes in communication about sexual topics to father, mother, best friend, and dating partner. The advantages of church programs as well as directions for further development of such programs are discussed.