The mediating effect of mental health status between self-system and sexual risk behaviour among university students in Malaysia.

Q3 Medicine

Medical Journal of Malaysia Pub Date : 2025-03-01

S M Azlan, F Mohamad, A I N Mohd Nazan, R Dahlan, K N Kamaruddin, N A Shibraumalisi, S N Syed Mohamad, I Z Ismail, H Kadir Shahar, N H Shamsuddin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Young adults' engagement in sexual risk behaviour (SRB) is a growing concern worldwide. Addressing this issue is crucial as it can lead to various detrimental effects on individuals, including psychological, behavioural, and, in severe cases, suicidal tendencies and mortality. This nationwide study aimed to determine the mediating roles of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE), religiosity, knowledge on sexuality, attitude towards premarital sex, and SRB among young Malaysian adults using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed in this study. Respondents were recruited from June to December 2021 among students attending higher education institutions in Malaysia. Institutions were sampled using stratified random sampling and the respondents were selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected via an online survey that inquired about respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, ACE, religiosity, knowledge on sexuality, attitude towards premarital sex, mental health status (MHS), and engagement in SRB. The data were analysed using SPSS version 27 for descriptive analysis, and SPSS AMOS version 27 for structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis.

Results: A total of 1171 respondents were recruited in this study. From the SEM analysis, the proposed model indicated a good fit, and it explained 26% of the SRB variance. There was a partial mediation effect of the relationship between ACE on SRB through MHS (p<0.05), as well as religiosity on SRB through MHS (p<0.05). There was no significant mediation effect was found for the other variables.

Conclusion: This study highlighted the mediation effect of MHS between ACE on SRB, as well as between religiosity and SRB. Apart from addressing ACE and religiosity of the young adults, MHS should also need to be explored when dealing with SRB issues and vice versa. Preventive measures should be considered at younger stage to prevent high risk behaviour among young adults.

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来源期刊

Medical Journal of Malaysia Medicine-Medicine (all)

CiteScore

1.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

165

期刊介绍： Published since 1890 this journal originated as the Journal of the Straits Medical Association. With the formation of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Journal became the official organ, supervised by an editorial board. Some of the early Hon. Editors were Mr. H.M. McGladdery (1960 - 1964), Dr. A.A. Sandosham (1965 - 1977), Prof. Paul C.Y. Chen (1977 - 1987). It is a scientific journal, published quarterly and can be found in medical libraries in many parts of the world. The Journal also enjoys the status of being listed in the Index Medicus, the internationally accepted reference index of medical journals. The editorial columns often reflect the Association''s views and attitudes towards medical problems in the country. The MJM aims to be a peer reviewed scientific journal of the highest quality. We want to ensure that whatever data is published is true and any opinion expressed important to medical science. We believe being Malaysian is our unique niche; our priority will be for scientific knowledge about diseases found in Malaysia and for the practice of medicine in Malaysia. The MJM will archive knowledge about the changing pattern of human diseases and our endeavours to overcome them. It will also document how medicine develops as a profession in the nation. We will communicate and co-operate with other scientific journals in Malaysia. We seek articles that are of educational value to doctors. We will consider all unsolicited articles submitted to the journal and will commission distinguished Malaysians to write relevant review articles. We want to help doctors make better decisions and be good at judging the value of scientific data. We want to help doctors write better, to be articulate and precise.