Typological classification of attitudes toward premarital sexual behavior among Chinese undergraduates.
Attitudes toward premarital sexual behavior
Chinese undergraduates
Typological classification
Journal
BMC public health
ISSN: 1471-2458
Titre abrégé: BMC Public Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968562
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
27 Sep 2024
27 Sep 2024
Historique:
received:
03
11
2023
accepted:
24
09
2024
medline:
28
9
2024
pubmed:
28
9
2024
entrez:
28
9
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Premarital sexual behavior (PSB) is a controversial topic in China. However, in recent times, changes in attitudes have led to PSB being more common among college students. This study investigated the attitudes of Chinese undergraduates toward PSB to identify whether a typological classification exists among them. A total of 278 undergraduate students from two public universities in Mainland China completed a 17-item survey that included five dimensions( emotions, responsiveness, sexual health, sexual freedom, and condemnation) on attitudes toward PSB. Data were collected online from April 2023 to July 2023. The PSB questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and construct validity in this study, with a Cronbach's α of 0.759 and a KMO value of 0.769. Meanwhile, a series of models were estimated specifying one through five latent classes and three typologies on the attitude were identified: "Affective,""Avoidant," and "Open." After the best fitting model was determined, multiple analysis of variance testing of different factors such as gender, year of study and where one came from were found to have significant effects on attitude complexity (p < .01). This research will contribute to the dissemination of information on PSB in China, which will be helpful in understanding relevant issues associated with PSB.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Premarital sexual behavior (PSB) is a controversial topic in China. However, in recent times, changes in attitudes have led to PSB being more common among college students. This study investigated the attitudes of Chinese undergraduates toward PSB to identify whether a typological classification exists among them.
METHODS
METHODS
A total of 278 undergraduate students from two public universities in Mainland China completed a 17-item survey that included five dimensions( emotions, responsiveness, sexual health, sexual freedom, and condemnation) on attitudes toward PSB. Data were collected online from April 2023 to July 2023.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The PSB questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and construct validity in this study, with a Cronbach's α of 0.759 and a KMO value of 0.769. Meanwhile, a series of models were estimated specifying one through five latent classes and three typologies on the attitude were identified: "Affective,""Avoidant," and "Open." After the best fitting model was determined, multiple analysis of variance testing of different factors such as gender, year of study and where one came from were found to have significant effects on attitude complexity (p < .01).
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This research will contribute to the dissemination of information on PSB in China, which will be helpful in understanding relevant issues associated with PSB.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39333994
doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20172-x
pii: 10.1186/s12889-024-20172-x
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2651Subventions
Organisme : National Social Science (Educational Project) Foundation of China
ID : BMA220222
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
Références
Shrestha RB. Premarital sexual behavior and its impact on health among adolescents. J Health Promot. 2021;7:43–52.
doi: 10.3126/jhp.v7i0.25496
China Family Planning Association. Report on the National survey of sexual and reproductive health among college students from 2019 to 2020. 2022. https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1665944212142390930&wfr=spider&for=pc.Accessed 14 Sept 2023.
Chi X, Yu L, Winter S. Prevalence and correlates of sexual behaviors among university students: a study in Hefei, China. BMC Public Health. 2012;12(1):972. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-972 .
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-972
pubmed: 23148791
pmcid: 3527150
Majer M, Puškarić Saić B, Musil V, Mužić R, Pjevač N, Jureša V. Sexual behaviour and attitudes among university students in Zagreb. Eur J Public Health. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.164 .
doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.164
Omoteso BA. (2006). A study of the sexual behaviour of university undergraduate students in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences. 2006;12(2):129 – 33. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923 . 2006.11978380.
Mensch BS, Clark WH, Anh DN. Adolescents in Vietnam: looking beyond reproductive health. Stud Fam Plann. 2006;34(4):249–62.
doi: 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2003.00249.x
Wang B, Li XM, Stanton B, Kamali V, Naar-King S, Shah I, Thomas R. Sexual attitudes, pattern of communication, and sexual behavior among unmarried out of school youth in China. BMC Publ Health. 2007;7:189.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-7-189
Dlamini S, Taylor M, Mkhize N, Huver R, Sathiparsad R, de Vries H, Jinabhai C. Gender factors associated with sexual abstinent behaviour of rural South African high school going youth in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Health Educ Res. 2009;24(3):450–60. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyn041 .
doi: 10.1093/her/cyn041
pubmed: 18711205
Mayabi JM. The attitude of college students toward premarital sex: implication for guidance and counseling in Nakuru County, Kenya. Hybrid J Psychol. 2022;3(1). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cardoso FL, Sacomori C, Vieira ML. Validation of a scale of body and sexual self-esteem in athletes with disabilities. Sex Disabil. 2012;30:29–38.
doi: 10.1007/s11195-011-9234-4
Zimmer-Gembeck MJ, Ducat WH, Boislard-Pepin MA. A prospective study of young females’ sexual subjectivity: associations with age, sexual behavior and dating. Arch Sex Behav. 2011;40:927–38.
doi: 10.1007/s10508-011-9751-3
pubmed: 21491139
Kakar S. Intimate relations: exploring Indian sexuality. India: Penguin Books; 1989. p. 10.
Chiao C, Yi CC. Adolescent premarital sex and health outcomes among Taiwanese youth: perception of best friends’ sexual behavior and the contextual effect. AIDS Care. 2011;23:1083–92.
doi: 10.1080/09540121.2011.555737
pubmed: 21562995
Chiao C, Yi CC. Premarital sexual permissiveness among Taiwanese youth. In: Yi CC, editor. The psychological well-being of East Asian youth. New York: Springer, In Press. 2019:1–3.
Jia Yu Wxiang, Luo Y, Xie. Sexuality in China: a review and new findings. Chin J Sociol. 2022;08:293–329.
doi: 10.1177/2057150X221114599
Tang SK, Lai FD, Chung TK. Assessment of sexual functioning for Chinese college students. Arch Sex Behav. 1997;26:79–90. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024525504298 .
doi: 10.1023/A:1024525504298
pubmed: 9015581
Smith RS. Making village women into good wives and wise mothers in prewar Japan. J Fam Hist. 1983;08:70–84.
doi: 10.1177/036319908300800104
Yamamoto K. Cross-sectional study on attitudes toward sex and sexual behavior among Japanese college students. J Physiol Anthropol. 2006;25(03):221–7.
doi: 10.2114/jpa2.25.221
pubmed: 16763364
Elias VL, Fullerton AS, Simpson JM. Long-term changes in attitudes toward premarital sex in the United States: reexamining the role of cohort replacement. J Sex Res. 2013;52(2):129–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2013.798610 .
doi: 10.1080/00224499.2013.798610
pubmed: 23998645
De Jong DH. Conservative christianity, gender identity, and Religious Liberty: a primer and a proposal. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan; 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42393-3 .
doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-42393-3
Caprara GV, Vecchione M, Schwartz SH, Barbaranelli C, Caprara MG. The role of religiosity in the landscape of human values. J Pers. 2017;85(6):752–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12250 .
doi: 10.1111/jopy.12250
Caprara GV, Vecchione M, Schwartz SH, Barbaranelli C, Caprara MG. The role of religiosity in the landscape of human values. J Cross Cult Psychol. 2018;49(1):3–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022117715733 .
doi: 10.1177/0022022117715733
Van der Brug P, Fennema M, Tillie J. Religious communities, political communities: the impact of religious and political attachments on voting behavior. Elect Stud. 2009;28(3):397–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2009.03.004 .
doi: 10.1016/j.electstud.2009.03.004
Ahmad SS, Hisham NA, Suryani N, Abd N, Abdallah SS. Islamic preventive measures on premarital teen sex: a religious model. Acad Res Int. 2012;3(2):427–43.
Elshiekh HF, Hoving C, de Vries H. Exploring determinants of condom use among university students in Sudan. Arch Sex Behav. 2020;49(4):1379–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-01564-2 .
doi: 10.1007/s10508-019-01564-2
pubmed: 32056040
pmcid: 7145779
Jung JH. A cross-national analysis of religion and attitudes toward premarital sex. Sociol Perspect. 2016;59(4):798–817. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731121415595428 .
doi: 10.1177/0731121415595428
Formby E. Sex and relationships education, sexual health, and lesbian, gay and bisexual sexual cultures: views from young people. Sex Educ. 2011;11(3):255–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2011.590078 .
doi: 10.1080/14681811.2011.590078
United Nations – Youth. (2003). World youth report 2003. 2003. https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-youth-report/world-youth-report2003.html.Accessed 10 July 2023.
Cao Y, Xiao H, Yan H, Li J, Li S. Prevalence and sex-related risk factors of premarital pregnancy and reproductive tract infections among female undergraduates in Wuhan, China. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2015;27(2 Suppl):S30–40.
doi: 10.1177/1010539515571580
McMurry M. Religion and women’s sex role traditionalism. Sociol Focus. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380237.1978.10570310 .
doi: 10.1080/00380237.1978.10570310
Bradford WW, Wolfinger NH. Soul mates: Religion, sex, love, and marriage among African americans and latinos. New York: Oxford University Press; 2016.
Han C. Research on sexual attitudes and types of college students. Chin Social Med. 1994;04:45–6.
Hendrick S, Hendrick C. Multidimensionality of sexual attitudes. J Sex Res. 1987;23(4):502–26. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3812227 .
doi: 10.1080/00224498709551387
Minturn L, Grosse M, Haider S. Cultural patterning of sexual beliefs and behavior. Ethnology. 1969;8(3):301–18. https://doi.org/10.2307/3772759 .
doi: 10.2307/3772759
Sprecher S. Premarital sexual standards for different categories of individuals. J Sex Res. 1989;26(2):232–48. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3813018 .
doi: 10.1080/00224498909551508
Jabareen R, Zlotnick C. The personal, local and global influences on youth sexual behaviors in a traditional society. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2023;149:106947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106947 .
doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106947
Majumdar C. Attitudes toward premarital sex in India: traditionalism and cultural change. Sex Cult. 2018;22:614–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-017-9486-y .
doi: 10.1007/s12119-017-9486-y
Birri D, Kumie M. Prevalence of premarital sex and related risky practices among students of Ayer Tena Health Science and Business College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Res Sq August 24th. 2020. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-54623/v1 .
doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-54623/v1
Zhang R, Zhang W, Liao M, Liu Y, Fan S, Wei H, et al. Relationship between childhood sexual abuse and attitudes toward premarital sexual permissiveness among middle school students in Luzhou, China. BMC Public Health. 2022;1. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-021-12490-1 .
Wright PJ. Americans’ attitudes toward premarital sex and pornography consumption: a national panel analysis. Arch Sex Behav. 2015;44:89–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0353-8 .
doi: 10.1007/s10508-014-0353-8
pubmed: 25273378
Thornton WA. Mother-child relations and adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior. Demography. 1989;26(4):563–77. https://doi.org/10.2307/2061258 .
doi: 10.2307/2061258
pubmed: 2583317
Peng Y, Shen L, Wo Ji, Xiang Y, Li E, Zou G, Liu Y. Characteristics of and relationship between sexual behavior, sexual attitude and sexual knowledge in college students. Popul Res. 2009;33(6):85–93.
Muthén L, Muthén B. Mplus user’s guide. 7th ed. Los Angeles, CA: Author; 2015.
Elhai JD, Contractor AA. Examining latent classes of smartphone users: relations with psychopathology and problematic smartphone use. Comput Hum Behav. 2018;82:159–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.01.010 .
doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.01.010
Hendrick SS, Hendrick C. Multidimensionality of sexual attitudes. J Sex Res. 1987;23(4):502–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224498709551476 .
doi: 10.1080/00224498709551476
Sprecher S. Premarital sexual standards for different categories of individuals. J Sex Res. 1989;26(2):232–48.
doi: 10.1080/00224498909551508
Zhang R, Zhang W, Liao M, Liu Y, Fan S, Wei H, et al. Relationship between childhood sexual abuse and attitudes toward premarital sexual permissiveness among middle school students in Luzhou, China. BMC Public Health. 2022;22:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12490-1 .
doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-12490-1
Iyer VN. Plasmid promiscuity and chastity and its uses. Biotechnol Adv. 1990;38. https://doi.org/10.1016/0734-9750(90)90646-S .
Luo, Tsun-yin E. Sexual abuse trauma among Chinese survivors. Child Abuse Negl. 1998;22(10):1013–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00079-9 .
doi: 10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00079-9
Sohn K. Men’s revealed preferences regarding women’s promiscuity. Pers Individ Dif. 2016;95:140–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.02.041 .
doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.02.041
Marcinkowska UM, Brewer G, Jaremba A, Jones I, Payne E, Lyons MT. Dark triad, sociosexual orientation, and mate preferences in short and long-term relationships–exploratory study. Pers Individ Dif. 2021;180:110968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110968 .
doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110968
Chan DW. Sex knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of Chinese medical students in Hong Kong. Arch Sex Behav. 1990;19:73–93.
doi: 10.1007/BF01541827
pubmed: 2327897
Kulasekaran A. Attitudes and practices toward pre-marital romantic/sexual act and condom use: a study among young indians. Sexually Transm Infect. 2013;89(S1):3. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0798 .
doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0798
Newcomb MD, Huba GJ, Bentler PM. Determinants of sexual and dating behaviors among adolescents. J Pers Social Psychol. 1986;50(2):428.
doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.50.2.428
Sun J, Li F, Wang S, Lu Z, Zhang C. College students still maintain the traditional Chinese concept of love. Heliyon. 2023;9(3):e13786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13786 .
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13786
pubmed: 36915517
pmcid: 10006721
Carter CS. Sex, love and oxytocin: two metaphors and a molecule. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022;143:104948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104948 .
doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104948
pubmed: 36347382
pmcid: 9759207
Akibu M, Gebresellasie F, Zekarias F, Tsegaye W. Premarital sexual practice and its predictors among university students: Institution based cross sectional study. Pan Afr Med J. 2017;28:234.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.234.12125
pubmed: 29881479
pmcid: 5989185
Thianthai C. Gender and class differences in young people’s sexuality and HIV/AIDS risk-taking behaviours in Thailand. Cult Health Sex. 2004;6(3):189–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369105031000156379 .
doi: 10.1080/1369105031000156379
pubmed: 21972873
Lou C, Cheng Y, Gao E, Zuo X, Emerson MR, Zabin LS. Media’s contribution to sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors for adolescents and young adults in three Asian cities. J Adolesc Health. 2012;50(3 Supplement):S26–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.009 .
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.009
pubmed: 22340853
pmcid: 4235612
Nhan NTT, Phu PT, Tra PT, Phuong PT, Nhu NQ, Thu NT. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of premarital sex among bedsit-living students in Hue City, Vietnam. J Public Health Epidemiol. 2019;11(4):84–9. https://doi.org/10.5897/jphe2018.1103 .
doi: 10.5897/jphe2018.1103
Mukanga B, Dlamini SB, Taylor M. Process evaluation of comprehensive sexuality education programme in Zambia: a focus on contextual factors, mechanisms of impact, quality of development and implementation process. BMC Health Serv Res. 2024;24:840. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11083-z .
doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11083-z
pubmed: 39054454
pmcid: 11270791
Seiler-Ramadas R, Grabovac I, Winkler R, Dorner TE. Applying emotional literacy in Comprehensive Sex Education for Young people. Am J Sexuality Educ. 2021;16(4):480–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2021.1932657 .
doi: 10.1080/15546128.2021.1932657
Crawford M, Popp D. Sexual double standards: a review and methodological critique of two decades of research. J Sex Res. 2003;40(1):13–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490309552163 .
doi: 10.1080/00224490309552163
pubmed: 12806528
Seiler-Ramadas R, Grabovac I, Winkler R, Dorner TE. Applying emotional literacy in Comprehensive Sex Education for Young people. Am J Sexuality Educ. 2021;16(4):480–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2021.1932657 .
doi: 10.1080/15546128.2021.1932657