Gender Difference in Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) among College Students' STD Knowledge, Susceptibility, and Sexual Autonomy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of self-efficacy in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), knowledge of and susceptibility to STD, and the role of gender in sexual autonomy. Methods: Data were collected from 267 college students using self-report questionnaires during the period from the first to the twentieth of June 2015. Data were analyzed using x2 test, Fisher’s exact test, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, simple and multiple regression techniques with the PASW/WIN 20.0 program. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny method and Sobel test. Results: In male students, self-efficacy for STD prevention showed a full mediating effect in the relationship between STD susceptibility and sexual autonomy (β=-.08, p=.370). But in female students, it had a partial mediating effect (β=-.25, p=.001). And self-efficacy for STD prevention showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between knowledge of STD and sexual autonomy in the both male (β=.25, p=.005) and female students (β=.33, p＜.001). Conclusion: To enhance college students’ sexual autonomy, it may be useful to build effective strategies enhancing students’ knowledge about and susceptibility to STD and to develop a self-efficacy promotion program for college students.