Background
Methods
Sample
Measures
Statistical Analysis
Ethics
Results
Sample characteristics
Demographic Variables | |||
---|---|---|---|
Variables | Full sample (n = 4,769) | Ever had sex (n = 863) | Test of signif T-test or OR (95% CI) |
Mean agea
| 20.35(SD = 1.49) | 20.99(SD = 1.40) | 14.10d
|
Nationality Han (vs. minority) | 4,217 (88.43) | 779 (90.27) | 0.79(0.62–1.01) |
Home location | |||
Eastern coastal regions | 561 (11.76) | 107 (12.40) | 1.00(reference) |
Central areas | 3,548 (74.40) | 662 (76.71) | 0.97(0.78–1.22) |
Western areas | 660 (13.8) | 94 (10.89) | 0.71(0.52–0.95)c
|
Parents' economic status | |||
Poor | 2,142 (44.92) | 212 (24.57) | 1.00(reference) |
Average | 2,158 (45.25) | 455 (52.72) | 2.43(2.04–2.90)d
|
Rich | 469 (9.83) | 196 (22.71) | 6.54(5.18–8.24)d
|
Family, peer, and work variables
| |||
Parents' disciplinary style | |||
Strict | 795 (16.67) | 195 (22.60) | 1.00(reference) |
Average | 2,327 (48.79) | 434 (50.29) | 0.71(0.58–0.86)d
|
Relaxed | 1,647 (34.54) | 234 (27.11) | 0.51(0.41–0.63)d
|
Only one child(yes)b
| 1,954(40.97) | 468(54.23) | 1.93(1.66–2.24)d
|
Parents divorced(yes)b
| 264(5.54) | 86(9.97) | 2.32(1.77–3.03)d
|
Parents disapproving of premarital sex (yes)b
| 2,215 (46.45) | 416 (48.20) | 1.09(0.94–1.26) |
Middle school close classmates and friends disapproving of premarital sex (yes)b
| 2,796(58.63) | 472(54.69) | 0.82(0.71–0.95)c
|
Middle school close friends falling in love (yes)b
| 1,338(28.06) | 366(42.41) | 2.22(1.91–2.59)d
|
Current close friends living with boyfriend (yes)b
| 397 (8.32) | 224 (25.96) | 7.56(6.10–9.38)d
|
Work at place of entertainment (yes)b
| 308 (6.46) | 138 (15.99) | 4.18(3.30–5.31)d
|
Current student variables
| |||
Major | |||
Literature and history | 1,862 (39.04) | 323 (37.43) | 1.00(reference) |
Science and technology | 1,167 (24.47) | 157 (18.19) | 0.74(0.60–0.91)d
|
Medical science | 985 (20.65) | 118 (13.67) | 0.65(0.52–0.81)d
|
Art | 755 (15.83) | 265 (30.71) | 2.58(2.13–3.12)d
|
Grade | |||
Freshman | 1,373 (28.79) | 103 (11.94) | 1.00(reference) |
Sophomore | 1,195 (25.06) | 157 (18.19) | 1.87(1.44–2.42)d
|
Junior | 1,309 (27.45) | 361 (41.83) | 4.70(3.71–5.94)d
|
Senior | 892 (18.70) | 242 (28.04) | 4.59(3.58–5.89)d
|
Academic performance | |||
Excellent | 1,243 (26.06) | 210 (24.33) | 1.00(reference) |
Medium | 3,018 (63.28) | 546 (63.27) | 1.09(0.91–1.29) |
Poor | 508 (10.65) | 107 (12.40) | 1.31(1.01–1.70)c
|
Feelings in college | |||
Generally happy(yes)b
| 1,324(27.76) | 236(27.35) | 0.98(0.83–1.15) |
Average or ordinary(yes)b
| 1,523(31.94) | 264(30.59) | 0.93(0.79–1.09) |
Confused(yes)b
| 2,292(48.06) | 437(50.64) | 1.13(0.98–1.31) |
Depressed(yes)b
| 932(19.54) | 195(22.60) | 1.26(1.05–1.50)c
|
Anxious(yes)b
| 591(12.39) | 118(13.67) | 1.15(0.93–1.43) |
Pressured(yes)b
| 1,328(27.85) | 235(27.23) | 0.96(0.82–1.14) |
Score in sex-related knowledge a
| 42.58(SD = 12.99) | 51.01(SD = 11.68) | 22.12d
|
Approve/accept premarital sex (yes)b
| 2,837 (59.49) | 790 (91.54) | 9.83(7.67–12.59)d
|
Approve/accept multiple sex partners (yes)b
| 547 (11.47) | 164 (19.00) | 2.16(1.77–2.64)d
|
Demographic Variables | |||
---|---|---|---|
Variables | Ever had sex (n = 863) | Multiple sex partners (n = 253) | Test of signif T-test or OR (95% CI) |
Mean age a
| 20.99(SD = 1.40) | 21.09(SD = 1.31) | 0.92 |
Nationality Han (vs. minority) | 779 (90.27) | 231 (91.30) | 0.85(0.51–1.43) |
Home location | |||
Eastern coastal regions | 107 (12.40) | 37 (14.62) | 1.00(reference) |
Central areas | 662 (76.71) | 196 (77.47) | 0.76(0.49–1.18) |
Western areas | 94 (10.89) | 20 (7.91) | 0.49(0.26–0.94)c
|
Parents' economic status | |||
Poor | 212 (24.57) | 38 (15.02) | 1.00(reference) |
Average | 455 (52.72) | 131 (51.78) | 1.79(1.19–2.70)d
|
Rich | 196 (22.71) | 84 (33.20) | 3.24(2.05–5.12)d
|
Family, peer, and work variables
| |||
Parents' disciplinary style | |||
Strict | 195 (22.60) | 60 (23.72) | 1.00(reference) |
Average | 434 (50.29) | 131 (51.78) | 1.00(0.68–1.45) |
Relaxed | 234 (27.11) | 62 (24.51) | 0.80(0.52–1.23) |
Only one child(yes)b
| 468(54.23) | 156(61.66) | 1.55(1.14–2.09)d
|
Parents divorced(yes)b
| 86(9.97) | 37(14.62) | 1.90(1.20–3.03)d
|
Parents disapproving of premarital sex (yes)b
| 416 (48.20) | 113 (44.66) | 0.82(0.61–1.11) |
Middle-school close classmates and friends disapproving of premarital sex (yes)b
| 472(54.69) | 123(48.62) | 0.71(0.52–0.95)c
|
Middle-school close friends falling in love (yes)b
| 366(42.41) | 132(52.17) | 1.73(1.28–2.33)d
|
Current close friends living with boyfriend (yes) b
| 224 (25.96) | 104 (41.11) | 2.73(1.97–3.78)d
|
Work at place of entertainment (yes)b
| 138 (15.99) | 70 (27.67) | 2.88(1.97–4.20)d
|
Current student variables
| |||
Major | |||
Literature and history | 323 (37.43) | 80 (31.62) | 1.00(reference) |
Science and technology | 157 (18.19) | 26 (10.28) | 0.56(0.34–0.91)c
|
Medical science | 118 (13.67) | 32 (12.65) | 1.11(0.68–1.81) |
Art | 265 (30.71) | 115 (45.45) | 2.02(1.41–2.89)d
|
Grade | |||
Freshman | 103 (11.94) | 18 (7.11) | 1.00(reference) |
Sophomore | 157 (18.19) | 43 (17.00) | 1.37(0.72–2.58) |
Junior | 361 (41.83) | 122 (48.22) | 1.85(1.04–3.27)c
|
Senior | 242 (28.04) | 70 (27.67) | 1.46(0.80–2.65) |
Academic performance | |||
Excellent | 210 (24.33) | 50 (19.76) | 1.00(reference) |
Medium | 546 (63.27) | 162 (64.03) | 1.43(0.98–2.07) |
Poor | 107 (12.40) | 41 (16.21) | 1.99(1.20–3.31)d
|
Feelings in college | |||
Generally happy(yes)b
| 236(27.35) | 65(25.69) | 0.89(0.63–1.24) |
Average or ordinary(yes)b
| 264(30.59) | 66(26.09) | 0.76(0.54–1.06) |
Confused(yes)b
| 437(50.64) | 132(52.17) | 1.11(0.82–1.50) |
Depressed(yes)b
| 195(22.60) | 65(25.69) | 1.34(0.94–1.90) |
Anxious(yes)b
| 118(13.67) | 48(18.97) | 1.79(1.19–2.70)d
|
Pressured(yes)b
| 235(27.23) | 74(29.25) | 1.12(0.80–1.56) |
Score in sex-related knowledge a
| 51.01(SD = 11.68) | 53.09(SD = 11.59) | 2.75d
|
Approve/accept premarital sex (yes)b
| 790 (91.54) | 247 (97.63) | 4.34(1.84–10.25)d
|
Approve/accept multiple sex partners (yes)b
| 164 (19.00) | 82 (32.41) | 3.25(2.26–4.68)d
|
Sexual behavior variables | Full sample (n = 4,769) | Ever had sex (n = 863) | Multiple sex partners (n = 253) | Test of significancea
T-test or OR (95% CI) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ever had intercourse (yes) | 863 (18.10) | 863 (100.0) | 253 (100.0) | |
Had multiple sex partners (yes) | 253 (5.31) | 253 (29.32) | 253 (100.0) | |
Practice masturbation (yes) | 1,137(23.84) | 292 (33.84) | 99 (39.13) | 1.39 (1.02–1.90)c
|
Age at first coitus b
| 19.27(SD = 1.74) | 18.74(SD = 1.60) | 6.4d
| |
Partner at first coitus not being boyfriend (yes) | 40 (4.63) | 19 (7.51) | 2.88 (1.44–5.77)d
| |
Had sex with married man (yes) | 48 (5.56) | 30 (11.86) | 4.75 (2.51–9.01)d
| |
Inconsistent condom use during sex | 108 (29.12) | 78(38.61) | 2.01 (1.39–2.91)d
|
Factors associated with ever having sex
Demographic Variables | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Explanatory variables | Empty Model | Model 1 Demographics OR (95% CI) | Model 2 Demos + influ OR (95% CI) | Model 3 All factors OR (95% CI) |
Age (continuous) | 1.52(1.43–1.61)d
| 1.46(1.38–1.55)e
| 1.27(1.16–1.39)e
| |
Home locationa
| ||||
Eastern coastal regions | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | |
Central areas | 1.33(1.03–1.72)e
| 1.25(0.96–1.63) | 1.35(1.02–1.80)e
| |
Western areas | 1.18(0.85–1.64) | 1.03(0.73–1.45) | 0.95(0.66–1.36) | |
Parents' economic statusa
| ||||
Poor | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | |
Average | 2.15(1.77–2.60)f
| 1.92(1.57–2.34)f
| 1.48(1.19–1.83)f
| |
Rich | 4.93(3.77–6.45)f
| 3.79(2.86–5.01)f
| 2.76(2.03–3.75)f
| |
Family, peer, and work influences
| ||||
Parents' disciplinary stylea
| ||||
Strict | 1.00 | 1.00 | ||
Average | 0.76(0.61–0.95)e
| 0.75(0.59–0.94)e
| ||
Relaxed | 0.65(0.51–0.82)f
| 0.58(0.45–0.75)f
| ||
Only one child(yes)b
| 1.16(0.97–1.39) | 0.89(0.73–1.08) | ||
Parents divorced(yes)b
| 1.91(1.40–2.60)f
| 1.64(1.17–2.31)f
| ||
Middle-school close classmates and friends disapproving of premarital sex (yes)b
| 0.91(0.76–1.08) | 1.01(0.83–1.21) | ||
Middle-school close friends falling in love (yes)b
| 1.50(1.25–1.79)f
| 1.10(0.90–1.33) | ||
Current close friends living with boyfriend (yes) b
| 3.40(2.66–4.35)f
| 2.48(1.90–3.24)f
| ||
Work at place of entertainment (yes)b
| 2.37(1.78–3.15)f
| 2.11(1.54–2.88)f
| ||
Current student factors
| ||||
Majora
| ||||
Literature and history | 1.00 | |||
Science and technology | 1.32(1.03–1.81)e
| |||
Medical science | 0.32(0.23–0.45)f
| |||
Art | 1.41(0.97–2.05) | |||
Year in school (continuous) | 1.12(0.98–1.27) | |||
Academic performancea
| ||||
Excellent | 1.00 | |||
Medium | 1.37(1.11–1.69)f
| |||
Poor | 1.92(1.39–2.64)f
| |||
Feelings depressed in college(yes) b
| 1.02(0.97–1.08) | |||
Score in sex-related knowledge (continuous) b
| 1.07(1.06–1.08)e
| |||
Approve/accept premarital sex (yes)b
| 5.00(3.83–6.52)f
| |||
Approve/accept multiple sex partners (yes)b
| 0.97(0.76–1.24) | |||
Between university variance(SE
c
)
| 0.429(0.175) | 0.157(0.074) | 0.045(0.029) | 0.017(0.018) |
Explained variance
d
(%)
| 63.40 | 89.51 | 96.04 |
Factors associated with multiple sex partners
Demographic Variables | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Explanatory variables | Empty Model | Model 1 Demos OR (95% CI) | Model 2 Demos + influ OR (95% CI) | Model 3 All factors OR (95% CI) |
Home locationa
| ||||
Eastern coastal regions | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | |
Central areas | 0.70(0.42–1.40) | 0.68(0.41–1.13) | 0.77(0.45–1.31) | |
Western areas | 0.62(0.31–1.22) | 0.58(0.29–1.16) | 0.54(0.26–1.12) | |
Parents' economic status | ||||
Poor | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | |
Average | 1.44(0.92–2.24) | 1.36(0.86–2.14) | 1.08(0.66–1.77) | |
Rich | 2.27(1.36–3.79)f
| 1.92(1.13–3.26)e
| 1.44(0.81–2.57) | |
Family, peer, and work influences
| ||||
Only one child(yes)b
| 1.07(0.76–1.51) | 1.11(0.76–1.60) | ||
Parents divorced(yes)b
| 1.65(0.99–2.73) | 1.36(0.80–2.33) | ||
Middle-school close classmates and friends disapproving of premarital sex (yes)b
| 0.87(0.62–1.21) | 0.94(0.66–1.32) | ||
Middle-school close friends falling in love (yes)b
| 1.27(0.91–1.78) | 1.20(0.84–1.72) | ||
Current close friends living with boyfriend (yes) b
| 1.98(1.38–2.83)f
| 1.58(1.07–2.32)e
| ||
Work at place of entertainment (yes)b
| 2.21(1.45–3.38)f
| 2.04(1.30–3.20)f
| ||
Current student factors
| ||||
Majora
| ||||
Literature and history | 1.00 | |||
Science and technology | 0.76(0.42–1.36) | |||
Medical science | 1.52(0.70–3.30) | |||
Art | 1.99(0.72–5.49) | |||
Year in school (continuous) | 1.04(0.85–1.28) | |||
Academic performancea
| ||||
Excellent | 1.00 | |||
Medium | 1.42(0.94–2.15) | |||
Poor | 2.91(1.59–5.33)f
| |||
Feelings anxious in college(yes)b
| 1.16(1.00–1.36) | |||
Score in sex-related knowledge (continuous) | 1.02(1.00–1.04) | |||
Approve/accept premarital sex (yes) | 2.46(0.96–6.33) | |||
Approve/accept multiple sex partners (yes)b
| 2.59(1.73–3.88)f
| |||
Between university variance(SE
c
)
| 0.264(0.157) | 0.227(0.144) | 0.118(0.095) | 0.257(0.162) |
Explained variance
d
(%)
| 14.02 | 55.30 | 2.65 |