Parent–adolescent communication

This construct was evaluated from the students’ perspective and incorporated aspects such as willingness to communicate openly, empathy, mutual comprehension, and the perceived effectiveness of their interactions. Parental age and level of education were evaluated as the principal sociodemographic exposures. Other family-related characteristics, including household composition, number of siblings, and parents’ occupational status, were considered as possible confounding factors.

Information was obtained through anonymous paper questionnaires that students completed independently during scheduled school hours while members of the research team supervised the process. Participation required written authorization from a parent or legal guardian as well as written assent from the adolescent. Completion of the questionnaire took approximately 15 minutes.

Adolescents who were not present during the first data-collection session were offered as many as three additional opportunities to participate. The study aimed to determine whether parental sociodemographic characteristics were associated with the quality of parent–adolescent communication among students attending a public secondary school in Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru.