Parenting Styles as Predictors of Premarital Sex Attitudes among Emerging Adults in Malaysia

Ng, Jia Qi and Ong, Moon Lim (2026) Parenting Styles as Predictors of Premarital Sex Attitudes among Emerging Adults in Malaysia. Predictive Effect of Parenting Styles. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Premarital sex remains a growing concern, as permissive attitudes continue to rise despite traditional norms discouraging such behaviour. This study aimed to examine the predictive effect between parenting styles (authoritarian, authoritative, permissive) on premarital sex attitudes and examine gender differences in premarital sex attitudes among Malaysian emerging adults. Using a cross-sectional design with convenience and snowball sampling, 427 participants completed an online survey containing the 12-item Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale (PSPS) and the 30-item Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ). After removing outliers, 303 responses (200 females, 104 males) remained in analysis. Results showed that permissive parenting was the strongest predictor of premarital sex attitudes, followed by authoritarian parenting, while authoritative parenting had no significant effect. No gender differences were found. These findings provide insight into how parenting shapes sexual attitudes in Malaysia and highlight the need for supportive parenting and comprehensive sexuality education to promote responsible attitudes among emerging adults.