Relationships among sexual self-concept and sexual risk cognition toward sexual self-efficacy in adolescents: Cause-and-effect model testing

Aim Sexual self‐efficacy plays an important role in adolescents' sexual health. The aim of this study was to test a cause‐and‐effect model of sexual self‐concept and sexual risk cognition toward sexual self‐efficacy in adolescents. Methods The study was a cross‐sectional survey. Using a random sampling method, a total of 713 junior nursing students were invited to participate in the study, and 465 valid surveys were returned, resulting in a return rate of 65.2%. The data was collected using an anonymous mailed questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships among sexual self‐concept, sexual risk cognition, and sexual self‐efficacy, as well as the mediating role of sexual risk cognition. Results The results revealed that the postulated model fits the data well. Sexual self‐concept significantly predicted sexual risk cognition and sexual self‐efficacy. Sexual risk cognition significantly predicted sexual self‐efficacy and had a mediating effect on the relationship between sexual self‐concept and sexual self‐efficacy. Conclusion Based on social cognitive theory and a structural equation model technique, this study confirmed the mediating role of sexual risk cognition in the relationship between sexual self‐concept and sexual self‐efficacy. Also, sexual self‐concept's direct and indirect effects explaining adolescents' sexual self‐efficacy were found in this study.