Rutgers University Scholar to Study Ways to Facilitate Mother/Daughter Communication

Donna Cill, assistant dean for student affairs and director of the Center for Lifelong Learning in the School of Nursing at the Rutgers University Health Science Campus in Newark, New Jersey, is embarking on a research project on developing better communication between mothers with their teenage daughters. Research has shown that daughters who communicate with their mothers to a large degree are less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, alcohol and drug abuse, and to develop eating problems.

Dr. Cill’s research will examine ways to facilitate better communication between mothers and their teenage daughters. She is recruiting mother/daughter pairs from middle schools in Newark who will participate in focus groups. From these groups, Dr. Cill will produce instructional videos and will develop a seminar that can be used to help facilitate better communication between mothers and their teenage daughters.

“At a certain point, girls will cut off their moms and turn to their friends,” Dr. Cill observes. “But as the more mature person, the mom has the experience and the perspective her daughter’s friends may lack.” That is why it is important to keep the lines of communication open within the family.