This research proposes to examine the social construction of sexuality and the distribution of sexually transmitted diseases in China, employing both survey methods and biomarkers in a multi-pronged national sample of 9,000 adults. Contemporary China is on the cutting edge of a sexual revolution, with tremendous regional and generational differences that provide unparalleled natural experiments for analysis of the determinants and outcomes of sexual behavior. China is experiencing sharp annual increases in AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. This study will provide a baseline from which to anticipate and track future changes, thus providing opportunity for a public health benefit as well as scholarly return. The lessons learned here will provide knowledge that is applicable to many societies. The study has three major objectives. (1) Baseline Study. Using a nationally representative probability sample, the study will provide a systematic description of the social organization of human sexuality in China. To make the study truly representative, it will include a special sample of migrants, a significant and growing proportion of the population not captured systematically by any surveys to date. (2) Social Constructionist Model. The project will elaborate and empirically document a social constructionist model of sexual behavior. It will explore the content and distribution of the social scripts according to which people understand sexual behavior. These scripts may be highly related to sexual well-being, including sexual satisfaction and overall happiness in relationships, domestic violence, and forced sex. (3) Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Patterns. The study hypothesizes that diseases do not spread randomly through the population but rather through a structure of social networks. Using biomarkers from urine samples and self-reports of prior exposure, the research will elaborate risk markers (age, gender, region, neighborhood) and more proximate determinants of who and how people get involved in STD networks. To provide ample cases for analysis, the study will include a special subsample of STD clinic patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD034157-01A2
Application #
2485787
Study Section
Social Sciences and Population Study Section (SSP)
Project Start
1998-01-15
Project End
2000-12-31
Budget Start
1998-01-15
Budget End
1998-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
National Opinion Research Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Yingying, Huang; Smith, Kumi; Suiming, Pan (2011) Changes and correlates in multiple sexual partnerships among Chinese adult women--population-based surveys in 2000 and 2006. AIDS Care 23 Suppl 1:96-104
Wang, W; Wei, C; Buchholz, M E et al. (2010) Prevalence and risks for sexually transmitted infections among a national sample of migrants versus non-migrants in China. Int J STD AIDS 21:410-5
Das, Aniruddha; Parish, William L; Laumann, Edward O (2009) Masturbation in urban China. Arch Sex Behav 38:108-20
Wang, Tianfu; Parish, William L; Laumann, Edward O et al. (2009) Partner violence and sexual jealousy in China: a population-based survey. Violence Against Women 15:774-98
Zhang, Qi; Lauderdale, Diane; Mou, Shanshan et al. (2009) Socioeconomic disparity in healthcare-seeking behavior among Chinese Women with genitourinary symptoms. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 18:1833-9
Luo, Ye; Parish, William L; Laumann, Edward O (2008) A population-based study of childhood sexual contact in China: prevalence and long-term consequences. Child Abuse Negl 32:721-31
Parish, William L; Laumann, Edward O; Pan, Suiming et al. (2007) Sexual dysfunctions in urban china: a population-based national survey of men and women. J Sex Med 4:1559-74
Parish, William L; Luo, Ye; Stolzenberg, Ross et al. (2007) Sexual practices and sexual satisfaction: a population based study of Chinese urban adults. Arch Sex Behav 36:5-20
Parish, William L; Das, Aniruddha; Laumann, Edward O (2006) Sexual harassment of women in urban China. Arch Sex Behav 35:411-25
Parish, William L; Wang, Tianfu; Laumann, Edward O et al. (2004) Intimate partner violence in China: national prevalence, risk factors and associated health problems. Int Fam Plan Perspect 30:174-81

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