Journal List > Korean J Adult Nurs > v.28(4) > 1076414

Park: Gender Difference in Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) among College Students' STD Knowledge, Susceptibility, and Sexual Autonomy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of self-efficacy in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), knowledge of and susceptibility to STD, and the role of gender in sexual autonomy.

Methods

Data were collected from 267 college students using self-report questionnaires during the period from the first to the twentieth of June 2015. Data were analyzed using x2 test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, simple and multiple regression techniques with the PASW/WIN 20.0 program. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny method and Sobel test.

Results

In male students, self-efficacy for STD prevention showed a full mediating effect in the relationship between STD susceptibility and sexual autonomy (β=-.08, p=.370). But in female students, it had a partial mediating effect (β=-.25, p=.001). And self-efficacy for STD prevention showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between knowledge of STD and sexual autonomy in the both male (β=.25, p=.005) and female students (β=.33, p<.001).

Conclusion

To enhance college students' sexual autonomy, it may be useful to build effective strategies enhancing students’ knowledge about and susceptibility to STD and to develop a self-efficacy promotion program for college students.

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Figure 1.
Model showing the influence of knowledge about and susceptibility to STD on sexual autonomy, and the mediating effect of self-efficacy of STDs in male (a) and female students (b).
kjan-28-482f1.tif
Table 1.
College Students’ Characteristics (N=267)
Variables Categories Male (n=113) Female (n=154) x2 or t (p)
n (%) or M±SD n (%) or M±SD
Grade Freshmen 38 (33.6) 55 (35.7) 6.61 (.086)
Sophomore 27 (23.9) 54 (35.1)
Junior 23 (20.4) 25 (16.2)
Senior 25 (22.1) 20 (13.0)
Learning experience in safe sex Yes 50 (44.2) 66 (42.9) 0.05 (.901)
No 63 (55.8) 88 (57.1)
Learning experience in condom use Yes 40 (35.4) 62 (40.3) 0.65 (.446)
No 73 (64.6) 92 (59.7)
Had sexual intercourse Yes 25 (22.1) 7 (4.5) 19.67 (<.001)
No 88 (77.9) 146 (94.8)
Had a STD Yes 2 (1.8) 1 (0.6) 0.74 (.576)
No 111 (98.2) 153 (99.4)
STD knowledge   0.59±0.40 0.56±0.36 0.53 (.600)
STD susceptibility   2.20±0.81 2.77±0.87 -5.42 (<.001)
Self-efficacy for STD prevention   3.24±0.64 2.75±0.68 6.05 (<.001)
Sexual autonomy   3.51±0.74 3.49±0.85 0.19 (.850)

STD=sexually transmitted disease;

There was a missing response;

Fisher's exact test.

Table 2.
Correlational Relationships among Variables (N=267)
Variables Categories STD knowledge STD susceptibility Self-efficacy for STD prevention Sexual autonomy
r (p) r (p) r (p) r (p)
Male students STD knowledge 1 .03 (.719) .30 (.001) .36 (<.001)
STD susceptibility 1 -.26 (.005) -.19 (.043)
Self-efficacy for STD prevention   1 .45 (<.001)
Sexual autonomy     1
Female students STD knowledge 1 -.43 (<.001) .68 (<.001) .58 (<.001)
STD susceptibility 1 -.50 (<.001) -.48 (<.001)
Self-efficacy for STD prevention   1 .59 (<.001)
Sexual autonomy     1

STD=sexually transmitted disease.

Table 3.
Mediating Effect of Self-efficacy for STD Prevention in the Relationship between STD Knowledge and Sexual Autonomy (N=267)
Equations Categories B β t p
Male students 1. STD knowledge → Self-efficacy for STD prevention 0.05 .30 3.35 .001
Adj. R2=0.08, F (p)=11.21 (.001)
2. STD knowledge → Sexual autonomy 0.07 .36 4.07 <.001
Adj. R2=0.12, F (p)=16.52 (<.001)
3. STD knowledge, self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy        
STD knowledge → Sexual autonomy 0.05 .25 2.86 .005
Self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy 0.44 .37 4.32 <.001
Adj. R2=0.24, F (p)=18.92 (<.001)
Female students 1. STD knowledge → Self-efficacy for STD prevention 0.13 .68 11.37 <.001
Adj. R2=0.46, F (p)=129.20 (<.001)
2. STD knowledge → Sexual autonomy 0.14 .58 8.73 <.001
Adj. R2=33, F (p)=76.23 (<.001)
3. STD knowledge, self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy
STD knowledge → Sexual autonomy 0.08 .33 3.88 <.001
Self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy 0.46 .36 4.27 <.001
Adj. R2=40, F (p)=51.54 (<.001)

STD=sexually transmitted disease.

Table 4.
Mediating Effect of Self-efficacy for STD Prevention in the Relationship between STD Susceptibility and Sexual Autonomy by Gender (N=267)
Equations Categories B β t p
Male students 1. STD susceptibility → Self-efficacy for STD prevention -0.21 -.26 -2.85 .005
Adj. R2=0.06, F (p)=8.13 (.005)
2. STD susceptibility → Sexual autonomy -0.17 -.19 -2.05 .043
Adj. R2=0.03, F (p)=4.19 (.043)
3. STD susceptibility, Self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy STD susceptibility → Sexual autonomy -0.07 -.08 -0.90 .370
Self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy 0.50 .43 4.85 <.001
Adj. R2=0.19, F (p)=14.30 (<.001)
Female students 1. STD susceptibility → Self-efficacy for STD prevention -0.39 -.50 -7.03 <.001
Adj. R2=0.24, F (p)=49.36 (<.001)
2. STD susceptibility → Sexual autonomy -0.47 -.48 -6.75 <.001
Adj. R2=0.23, F (p)=45.50 (<.001)
3. STD susceptibility, Self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy STD susceptibility → Sexual autonomy -0.25 -.25 -3.43 .001
Self-efficacy for STD prevention → Sexual autonomy 0.59 .47 6.37 <.001
Adj. R2=0.39, F (p)=49.00 (<.001)

STD=sexually transmitted disease.

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