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.
Highlights
The first was to examine the influences of parent–child discussion on sex-related topics, peer interaction around sex-related topics, and exposure to sexually explicit materials on the intention to engage in casual sex and its theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs, including a favorable attitude toward casual sex, perceiving positive social norms toward casual sex, and perceived control over involvement
The three TPB constructs mediate the associations of parent–child discussion on sex-related topics, peer interaction around sex-related topics, and exposure to sexually explicit materials with the intention to engage in casual sex
Given that parent–child discussion, peer interaction, exposure to sexually explicit materials were significantly associated with casual sex intention, the mediation effects of the TPB constructs on the associations were further examined by structural equation modeling (SEM)
Summary
Casual Sex among Adolescents and Young Adults. Research has found that casual sex is prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Several studies have demonstrated the negative effects of casual sex among adolescents and young adults; risks include sexually transmitted diseases, physical and sexual aggression, negative emotional responses such as regret, depression, and anxiety, and conflicted interpersonal relationships [4,5,6,7,8]. Young adults have reported positive effects of casual sex, including feeling sexual arousal and happiness and gaining confidence and closeness [8,9]. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of, and factors related to casual sex so that intervention programs can be developed to improve sexual health in adolescents and young adults
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