ANALYSIS OF PREMARITAL SEX PREVENTION BEHAVIOR AS AN EFFORT TO AVOID EARLY MARRIAGE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SERANG REGENCY

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to analyze preventive behaviors against premarital sex as an effort to avoid early marriage among adolescents in Serang Regency, as well as to identify the factors influencing such behaviors.

Methods: The research employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 282 adolescents aged 15–19 years, selected through stratified random sampling from various public health center areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests, with PLS-SEM applied to examine the relationships among variables.

Results:The findings revealed that nearly all internal variables (knowledge, perception, attitude, motivation, self-efficacy) and external variables (religiosity, parental support, social norms, social media exposure) were at high levels, indicating adolescents’ cognitive, affective, and social readiness to face the risks of premarital sex and to delay early marriage. Bivariate analysis showed a significant positive relationship between both internal and external factors with preventive behaviors against premarital sex, whereas peer pressure demonstrated a negative effect. A significant negative relationship between preventive behaviors and intention of early marriage (β = -0.680) indicated that stronger protective behaviors contribute to delaying early marriage. Multivariate analysis using PLS-SEM confirmed that the research model had strong explanatory power (R² for preventive behavior = 0.823; intention of early marriage explained by 46.2%), with self-efficacy, motivation, religiosity, and parental support as the main predictors, while social media exposure and peer pressure showed negative effects.

Conclusion: The study concludes that preventive behaviors against premarital sex can serve as an effective strategy in reducing the incidence of early marriage among adolescents.