Marriage and Childbearing Intentions and Realizations among Young Adults: Roles of Social Media Use, Cooking Skills, Lifestyles, Health Indicators, Sexual Functioning, and Social Support (1/2)

The population in developed economies has declined in recent years. In 2020, Taiwan has experienced the lowest growth rate, marriage, and birth rate over the past decades. The situation is getting worse amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. People have changed their behaviors, such as overusing social media for different purposes, cooking skills, unhealthy lifestyles, and changes in physical, psychological, and sexual health. The governments and organizations provided different types of support to the public. However, it is not clear how and under what circumstances these factors affect the marriage and childbearing intentions and realizations. The results of this study will advance the understanding regarding the current situation and how the intentions and realizations can be improved among the young adults in Taiwan. The study expects to identify the challenges to maintaining healthy lifestyles, health, psychological wellbeing, having good cooking skills, social support, and reasons for unrealized marriage and childbearing intentions. This may further provide suggestions and directions for strategies to increase Taiwan’s birth rate.Screening for marriage and childbearing intentions and realizations should be introduced in the university settings or during the hospital visit to guide the conversations and encouragements on preparations. The campaigns for promoting family planning behaviors and preconception care should also be developed, e.g. relationship transition preparation programs, social support and health promotion, cooking classes. The strategic educational programs are strongly recommended. The findings from this project will open new directions for future studies with in-depth and objective assessments, e.g., using the tracking devices and apps to assess the screening time and health-related behaviors. Future research should follow up specific vulnerable groups (e.g., problematic internet use, unrealized marriage, and childbearing intentions), and provide the support, training programs, or consultations to improve their health and realize their intentions.