Sexual self-concept as influencing intended sexual health behaviour of young adolescent Taiwanese girls.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to test a process model that assesses the relationship of sexual health knowledge and normative beliefs to sexual health behavioural intention, with sexual self-concept as a mediating variable. The model is intended to assist in the prediction of which adolescents would exhibit a lower intention to engage in protective sexual health behaviour.


BACKGROUND
Previous research has shown that sexual-related behaviours are associated with sexual self-concept, sexual health knowledge and perceived parental/peer approval of sexual behaviour.


METHODS
This study is a cross-sectional research.


METHODS
This study was conducted with 545 adolescent girls, aged 12-15 years, from eight junior high schools in Taiwan. Participants were assessed using the Sexual Self-Concept Inventory, the Sexual Health Behavior Intention Scale, the Parental Approval of Sexual Behavior Scale (PASB), the Friends' Approval of Sexual Behavior Scale and the Sexual Health Knowledge Scale. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling, with the maximum likelihood estimate determined by the LISREL 8.52 program.


RESULTS
The model exhibited adequate fit (goodness-of-fit index = 0.96, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.94, normed fit index = 0.96, comparative fit index = 0.98, standardised root mean square residual = 0.049 and root mean square error of approximation = 0.048) and the findings indicate that sexual self-concept was a significant influence on the relationship of sexual health knowledge and normative beliefs to sexual health behavioural intention.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study revealed the importance of sexual self-concept for adolescent girls' sexual health behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence-based strategies that reinforce and clarify sexual self-concept as a mediating factor may aid in adolescent females' intention to engage in protective sexual health behaviour.
Department of Nursing, Min-Hwei College of Health Care Management, Tainan City, Taiwan. pai55215@ms41.hinet.net
Hsiang-Chu
HC
Pai
Sheuan
S
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality; D013624:Taiwan