Positive psychological capital and adolescent psychosexual health: the moderating roles of gender and autonomy

Abstract Background Psychosexual health is a fundamental component of adolescent well-being. However, research has predominantly focused on risk factors, overlooking the potential benefits of positive psychological traits. This study aimed to investigate the associations between positive psychological capital and adolescents’ psychosexual health and examine whether these relationships are moderated by autonomy and gender. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 in Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, China. Using convenience sampling, 8,205 students were recruited from 10 junior and senior high schools representing both urban and rural regions. Participants completed the Chinese versions of the Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire, Autonomy Questionnaire, and Adolescent Psychosexual Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 and PROCESS v3.5. Results After data cleaning based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7,910 valid responses were retained, yielding a validity rate of 96.40%. The final sample had a mean age of 13.99 years (SD = 1.13), with 50.1% male and 49.9% female participants. Positive psychological capital was significantly and positively associated with psychosexual health: hope (r = 0.530, p < 0.001), optimism (r = 0.505,p < 0.001), self-efficacy (r = 0.467 p < 0.001), and resilience (r = 0.449, p < 0.001). Autonomy significantly moderated the following associations: hope (β = 0.040; p < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 0.086; p < 0.001), resilience (β = 0.086,p < 0.001), and optimism (β = 0.091; p < 0.001). Gender did not show a significant moderating effect. Conclusion Positive psychological capital play a vital role in enhancing adolescents’ psychosexual health. Autonomy amplifies these beneficial effects and should be prioritized in future interventions aimed at promoting adolescent mental and sexual well-being.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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