Humor in sexual communication and positive sexual behavior outcomes among mother–daughter dyads

Although significant progress has been made in understanding sexual communication within mother–daughter dyads, little research has specifically examined the role of humor use in sexual communication. The present study used a mother–daughter dyadic approach to explore humor use in sexual communication, broader parent–child sexual communication patterns, and daughters’ positive sexual behavior outcomes. A sample of 98 mother–daughter dyads (N = 196; mothers: M_age = 45.48, SD = 5.45; daughters: M_age = 16.23, SD = 1.18) was analyzed using Actor–Partner Interdependence Modeling (APIM) within a structural equation modeling framework to assess both individual and dyadic effects of humor in sexual communication on sexuality-related outcomes. The findings support an actor-driven model in which daughters’ own use of humor in sexual communication, rather than mothers’ humor or dyadic similarity, predicts positive outcomes. This effect is explained by greater openness in communication, which fosters healthier sexual attitudes and behaviors. The lack of partner or dissimilarity effects points to the primacy of individual agency over dyadic dynamics in this context. Moreover, negative links with controlled communication highlight that the quality and openness of exchanges, rather than frequency or parental involvement, shape developmental outcomes. Overall, daughters’ humor emerges as a personal resource for navigating sexual communication and development within the mother–daughter relationship.