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Increasing Effective Communication Between Teens and Their Families. Sophie Godley, MPH Clinical Assistant Professor Iowa Family Planning Update September 14, 2016 1:15-2:30PM. Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Director of Undergraduate Education
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Increasing Effective Communication Between Teens and Their Families Sophie Godley, MPH Clinical Assistant Professor Iowa Family Planning Update September 14, 2016 1:15-2:30PM
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Director of Undergraduate Education Boston University School of Public Health Consultant, Roca Inc. Chelsea, MA Sophie Godley, MPH
Public health Data, policies, context Community Geography matters Behavioral Science Preventing disease and promoting health Culture Love My perspective
Objectives • 1) List three strategies for making parents and adults more “askable” • 2) list three strategies for reducing defensiveness on the part of teens • 3)Describe the critical importance of teen/family communication
Agenda • 1) Introductions • 2) Setting the context • 3) Barriers for families and parents • 4) Barriers for teens • 5) Ideas and next steps
What crazy things did you do when you were a teenager? Be careful what you post on Facebook. Whatever you do, it will be pulled up later in your life. President Obama, September 8, 2009 Wakefield, VA
Who do youth really want to hear from? • Their parents and family.
Why it’s worth it • Increasing parent child communication around sexual health has protective effects • Delays initiation of sexual activity • Increases contraception use
Supporting parents and family members • Empathy • Self-awareness • Courage • Expectations • Ground rules…
What do parents need? • Encouragement • Accurate information • Reassurance • Practice • Developmental reality checks
Supporting parents and family members • Empathy • Self-awareness • Courage • Expectations • Ground rules…
What do teens need? • Encouragement • Accurate information • Reassurance • Practice • Parental reality checks
Supporting teens to open up • Realistic about expectations • Practice • Setting guidelines in a respectful way • Be clear about what they want • Developmental goal: maturity, adulthood, compassion for parents
What is our role? • Concrete tips for parents and teens • Encouragement • Build relationships among parents. • Be brave. We can do hard things.
Contact Sophie Godley, MPH Boston University School of Public Health Department of Community Health Sciences 801 Mass Ave. 4th Floor, Crosstown Building Boston, MA 02118 Ph: 617/638-5296 Email: sgodley@bu.edu Facebook: Sophie Godley Twitter: @sophiesalibi