Document Type

Report

College

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Department

Occupational Therapy

Degree

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Report Date

5-2026

Faculty Mentor

Gross, Kimberly

Doctoral Experiential Coordinator

Latour, Debra

Abstract

Over the past three decades, adolescent pregnancy rates in the United States (U.S.) have decreased across all ethnic groups (Livingston & Thomas, 2019). However, in the United States, rates among the Hispanic population remain higher than those of other major ethnic groups. Review of the existing literature describes cultural barriers that prevent Hispanic young adults and their parents from engaging in sexual health and intimacy education. These barriers include gender roles, educational attainment and healthcare access, and lack of parental communication (Alzate et al., 2018; Langellier et al., 2021; Durante et al., 2023).

This study utilized a mixed-methods approach and collected data from 13 participants through pre- and post-surveys to explore sociocultural barriers for Hispanic families regarding sexual health, and intimacy. Following thematic review, results indicate that Hispanic young adults and adults experience three primary barriers to learning and communicating about sexual health and intimacy: emotional factors, cultural influences, and preconceived attitudes shaped by past experiences. Quantitative data gathered from a pre-and-post-test indicate that the study was successful in increasing sexual health and intimacy knowledge which led to increased participant comfort levels within the studies’ domains. Qualitative findings also suggest that a one-time educational session helps young adults identify sociocultural barriers which can increase knowledge and comfort across four domains related to sexual health and intimacy.

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