Beforeplay: Family stories, teen and adult parents and sexual health communication.

In previous research, teens and parents continually report difficulties sharing what they know about sexuality with members of their families. This can lead to distressing emotional, social and physical consequences ranging from risky sexual behaviours to disconnections within the family. The importance of preserving family connections while sharing expertise around sexual behavior led to the question- what are families' stories of sexuality and how do these stories matter to sexual health and relationships? Through the qualitative method of narrative inquiry guided by social construction and critical social theories, this research study explored, through the narrative methods of storytelling and drawing, the interplay between family connections, knowledge about sexuality, and communication exchanges about sexual behavior. This work offers insights into the uniquely-situated and diverse pathways of sexual health and family communication, supporting ongoing development of health promotion programs that are oriented toward the needs of individuals and community. Discussion includes how family drawings created by participants, concept mapping, and ghostwritten stories formed the analysis, and how these outcomes may influence sexual health education and counseling.