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Having sex with partners met online among bachelors in China: application of the theory of planned behavior

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wang, Y; Liu, H; Pei, Y; Wu, B
Published in: Sexual and Relationship Therapy
January 1, 2024

Due to a sex ratio imbalance and marriage squeeze in China, many males of marriageable ages cannot find wives. To meet their sexual needs, those bachelors tend to use the internet to find sexual partners in recent years. However, studies on the psychosocial mechanisms underlying having sex with partners met online are scarce. This study examined the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and having sex with online partners based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of bachelors (with rural household registration, at least 28 years old and never married) (N = 735) in several regions of China. Logistic regression models show that attitudes and subjective norms were significantly associated with having sex with online partners. The mediation analysis further indicated that the intention of seeking sex partners online partially mediated the relationships across attitudes, subjective norms, and having sex with partners online. This study provides a better understanding of factors associated with having sex with partners met online. It also extends research concerning a population that is understudied. Additionally, it shows the applicability of the TBP model in explaining the factors associated with having sex with partners.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Sexual and Relationship Therapy

DOI

EISSN

1468-1749

ISSN

1468-1994

Publication Date

January 1, 2024

Volume

39

Issue

3

Start / End Page

777 / 790

Related Subject Headings

  • Clinical Psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
 

Citation

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Wang, Y., Liu, H., Pei, Y., & Wu, B. (2024). Having sex with partners met online among bachelors in China: application of the theory of planned behavior. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 39(3), 777–790. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2022.2025776
Wang, Y., H. Liu, Y. Pei, and B. Wu. “Having sex with partners met online among bachelors in China: application of the theory of planned behavior.” Sexual and Relationship Therapy 39, no. 3 (January 1, 2024): 777–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2022.2025776.
Wang Y, Liu H, Pei Y, Wu B. Having sex with partners met online among bachelors in China: application of the theory of planned behavior. Sexual and Relationship Therapy. 2024 Jan 1;39(3):777–90.
Wang, Y., et al. “Having sex with partners met online among bachelors in China: application of the theory of planned behavior.” Sexual and Relationship Therapy, vol. 39, no. 3, Jan. 2024, pp. 777–90. Scopus, doi:10.1080/14681994.2022.2025776.
Wang Y, Liu H, Pei Y, Wu B. Having sex with partners met online among bachelors in China: application of the theory of planned behavior. Sexual and Relationship Therapy. 2024 Jan 1;39(3):777–790.

Published In

Sexual and Relationship Therapy

DOI

EISSN

1468-1749

ISSN

1468-1994

Publication Date

January 1, 2024

Volume

39

Issue

3

Start / End Page

777 / 790

Related Subject Headings

  • Clinical Psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences