Constructing and Validating Early Adolescent Females'' Sexual Health Behavior Intentions Model

• Main Authors: Hsiang-Chu, 白香菊
• Other Authors: Sheuan Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/42996934606074593924

博士 === 中山醫學大學 === 醫學研究所 === 99 === Sexual health, particularly that of early adolescent females, has become a global concern. There is an extensive body of research on adolescent sexual health, almost all of which focuses on intercourse and its related outcomes (e.g., pregnancy). However, it is also important to determine the factors that influence adolescents’ behavior intentions. Thus, our conceptual model was based on the health belief model (HBM), theory of reasoned action (TRA), and the literature. Our model provides an integrative framework that includes sexual health behavioral intention, sexual self-concept, sexual health knowledge, and normative beliefs in young adolescent females. Moreover, we constructed a model of sexual health behavioral intention. We conducted cross-sectional research with adolescent females, age 12 to 15 years, in Southern Taiwan. The 632 adolescent females who completed the questionnaires yielded a total effective sample size of 545. The scales used in this study included the Pubertal Development Scale, Sexual Health Behavior Intention Scale, Sexual Self-Concept Scale, Sexual Health Knowledge Scale, and Parental/Friend Approval of Sexual Behavior Scale. All scales were examined for content and construct validity as well as for reliability, including test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct reliability. We conducted structural equation modeling to examine the proposed conceptual model, using LISREL 8.52 statistical software. The results indicated that the hypothesized model provided an excellent fit with the data (χ /df = 3.23；RMSEA = 0.064). Within the sexual health behavioral intentions model, sexual health knowledge and sexual self-concept had a significant direct effect on sexual health intentions (β = .39, t = 6.51, p < .001; β =-.51, t = -8.23, p < .001); normative beliefs, however, had no significant direct effect on sexual health behavioral intentions. Sexual health knowledge and sexual self-concept had a significant direct effect on sexual self-concept (β = .24, t = 4.59, p < .001; β = .38, t = 8.34, p < .001). Additionally, sexual health knowledge and normative beliefs had a significant indirect effect on sexual health behavioral intentions through the mediating role of sexual self-concept (β = -.12, t = -3.80, p < .001; β = -.19, t = -6.08, p < .001). Overall, the model accounted for 50% of the total variance in girls’ sexual health behavioral intentions. As such, sexual self-concept has a full mediating relationship between normative beliefs and sexual health intention behavior and a partial mediating relationship between sexual health knowledge and sexual health intention behavior. Further research should determine how well the sexual health behavioral intentions model fits different stages of adolescent development. Research also could compare adolescent males and females in terms of sexual health behavioral intentions. Such research could lead to additional, more suitable, sexual health behavior intention models for different groups. The results of this study have implications for school health education practice. Specifically, it would be valuable for nurses to design programs for sexual health intervention with early adolescent females.