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Gender Differences in How Parents, Peers, and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials Influence the Intention to Engage in Casual Sex among Adolescents and Young Adults in Taiwan: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Ying-Hua Tseng

    (College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Wen-Li Hou

    (College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Shih-Hsien Kuo

    (School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung 83102, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Hsiang Liu

    (School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung 83102, Taiwan)

  • Hui-Ling Wang

    (School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung 83102, Taiwan)

  • Ray C. Hsiao

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98105, USA)

  • Fan-Hao Chou

    (College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
    College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine gender differences in how parent–child discussions on sex issues, peer interactions around sexual issues, and exposure to sexually explicit materials affect the intention to engage in casual sex among adolescents and young adults in Taiwan. This cross-sectional survey study recruited 767 participants (348 men and 419 women) aged 15–24 years. The survey collected data on participants’ intention to engage in casual sex, their attitude toward and perception of casual sex based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) (favorable attitude, perceiving positive social norms toward casual sex, and perceived control over involvement), parent–child and peer discussions about sexual issues, and exposure to sexually explicit materials. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that parent–child discussions on sex issues, peer interactions around sexual issues, and exposure to sexually explicit materials were significantly associated with the intention to engage in casual sex. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) further supported that favorable attitude, perceiving positive social norms toward casual sex, and control over involvement mediated the associations. For men, decreased favorable attitude mediated the negative association between parent–child discussions and casual sex intention; increased favorable attitudes and decreased control over involvement mediated the positive associations between peer interactions and casual sex intention. For women, decreased control over involvement mediated the positive association between exposure to sexually explicit materials and casual sex intention. The associations between peer interaction and subjective norms of acceptance, perceived control over involvement, and casual sex intention were stronger in men than in women; the association of favorable attitudes with casual sex intention was also stronger in men than in women.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying-Hua Tseng & Wen-Li Hou & Shih-Hsien Kuo & Yu-Hsiang Liu & Hui-Ling Wang & Ray C. Hsiao & Fan-Hao Chou & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2021. "Gender Differences in How Parents, Peers, and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials Influence the Intention to Engage in Casual Sex among Adolescents and Young Adults in Taiwan: Applying the Theory ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13089-:d:700247
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Piotr Tarka, 2018. "An overview of structural equation modeling: its beginnings, historical development, usefulness and controversies in the social sciences," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 313-354, January.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
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