Purpose: This study examined the relationships among variables derived from Ajzens Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB) in order to explain intentions of premarital sex and condom use in Korean college students.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, correlational design using an exploratory survey methodology through self-reported questionnaires. Several instruments were used to measure the variables studied. Students aged 18-25 were recruited from a university in Seoul, Korea using a flyer and self-referral (male =165, mean age: 22.6; female=133, mean age: 20.67). Since there was a small amount of missing data (6.88%) and no differences in sample characteristics between the missing (n=22) and the non-missing groups (n=298), list-wise deletion was performed. The analytic approach included descriptive statistics, spearman rank correlation, and multi-sample structure equation modeling. All instruments showed good reliabilities. Cronbachs alphas were used to examine internal consistencies of the instruments (alpha=0.77 - 0.98).
Results: Forty nine percent of male students and around 12% of the female students had engaged in premarital sex; however, only 26.7% of sexually active students always used condoms. Looking at the model of premarital sex, premarital attitude was the strongest predictor of intention of premarital sex for both genders. For males, the TpB components of attitude, perceived behavior control, subjective norms explained intention of premarital sex; however, perceived behavioral control did not predict intention of premarital sex for females. A Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test showed that male and female students had different models to explain intention of premarital sex (S-B chi-square test(22) =20.55, p=0.55, CFI=1.00, RMSEA=0.000). Looking at the model of condom use, condom efficacy was the strongest predictor of intention of condom use, and all TpB components significantly predicted intention of condom use. Higher condom efficacy predicted a higher intention. The LM test showed that male and female students shared one model to explain this intention (S-B chi-square test(17) =22.72, p=0.16, CFI=0.98, RMSEA=0.03).
Conclusion: The TpB has demonstrated applicability for predicting intentions of premarital sex and condom use as a way to decrease risky sexual behavior within the Korean culture. Findings provide information for developing better sex education programs for Korean late adolescents and young adults.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PITT/oai:PITTETD:etd-12092005-123028 |
| Date | 14 December 2005 |
| Creators | Cha, Eun-Seok |
| Contributors | Denise Charron-Prochownik, Willa M. Doswell, Thelma E. Patrick, Kevin H. Kim |
| Publisher | University of Pittsburgh |
| Source Sets | University of Pittsburgh |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-12092005-123028/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Pittsburgh or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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