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

Ying Wang, Huijun Liu, Yaolin Pei, Bei Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)777-790
Number of pages14
JournalSexual and Relationship Therapy
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Bachelors
  • Theory of Planned Behavior
  • internet
  • sex with online partners
  • sexual behaviors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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