Female Sexual Well-Being Scale™ (FSWB Scale™): Development and Psychometric Validation in Sexually Functional Women

Abstract

Introduction No validated instrument exists for measuring female sexual well-being (FSWB™) in women without medical/psychosocial conditions. Aims To develop and psychometrically validate a self-administered Female Sexual Well-Being Scale™ (FSWB Scale™) for assessing sexual well-being in sexually functional women. Methods Important aspects of FSWB™ were identified via focus groups, debriefing interviews, and administration of an initial scale to 111 US women aged 21–72 years reporting normal sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index >26). Principal components analysis and psychometric validity testing of a FSWB Scale™ were conducted in a second study of 332 women. Main Outcome Measures To develop a FSWB Scale, based on qualitative input from women reporting normal sexual function, and determine its factor structure and psychometric validity. Results Four aspects of FSWB were identified from the qualitative research. Women’s preferred language to describe sexual well-being and preferred response formats were incorporated into the scale. A principle components analysis of quantitative study data from 332 women aged 21–72 years reporting normal sexual function identified 5 factors with eigenvalues >1: interpersonal domain (6 items), cognitive-emotional domain (5 items), physical arousal domain (3 items), orgasm-satisfaction domain (3 items), and external lubrication domain (2 items). The external lubrication domain did not demonstrate strong positive correlations with the other 4 domains, so it was not retained in the final scale. A high degree of internal consistency was demonstrated for the 4 domains (Cronbach’s alpha values: 0.84–0.92). Test-retest reliability over a 2-week period was high (r > 0.80) or moderately high (r > 0.70) for the 4 domain scores. Correlation coefficients between FSWB Scale domain scores and standardized scale scores for female sexual function, depression, and social desirability demonstrated the construct validity of the FSWB Scale. Conclusion A 17-item FSWB Scale was developed and psychometrically validated as a reliable, multidimensional, self-administered instrument for assessing sexual well-being in women of different ages.

Propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario de Bienestar Sexual Subjetivo en jóvenes y adultos chilenos

“…las diferencias encontradas con otras investigaciones en el área de sexualidad, podrían estar relacionadas con el foco de la evaluación que tienen los estudios en disfunción y satisfacción sexual, donde se miden generalmente aspectos biológicos relacionados al funcionamiento sexual físico, los cuales se ven mayormente afectados por el aumento de los años de vida (Mella, oyadanel, Vargas & de Ugarte, 2015). particularmente, en la evaluación del bienestar sexual subjetivo, estudios como el de (Heiman et al, 2011;rosen et al, 2009;traeen & schaller, 2010), han reportado diferencias al medir este tipo de bienestar en personas adultas y adultas mayores. estas diferencias reportadas pueden ser explicadas por la utilización de otros sistemas de medición del Bienestar, distintos al utilizado en esta investigación.…”

“…en las últimas décadas, el interés en comprender la sexualidad ha ido en aumento, sin embargo, la investigación científica y el debate socio-político ha estado principalmente centrado en los problemas y disfunciones sexuales de la población, para lo cual se han desarrollado diversos sistemas de evaluación y programas de tratamiento (Abdolmanafi et al, 2015;Bois, Bergeron, rosen, Mayrand, Brassard & sadikaj, 2016;Burria, radwana & Bodenmanna, 2015;Dennerstein, guthrie, Hayes, Derogatis, & lehert, 2008;granados & sierra, 2016;Heiman, long, smith, Fisher, sand & rosen, 2011;Kucur suna et al, 2016;rosen et al, 2009;Velten, scholten, graham & Margraf, 2017;Vera-Villarroel, Valtierra & contreras, 2016;Willi, & Burri, 2015).…”

“…en la población hispano hablante, la mayoría de los estudios recientes se han centrado en el funcionamiento sexual y sus disfunciones (Bravo, Meléndez, & lópez, 2005;carrobles et al, 2011;da silva et al, 2012;ribeiro, Nakamura, scanavino, torlonj & Mattsr, 2011;sánchez-Fuentes et al, 2016;, la asertividad sexual (santos-iglesias & sierra, 2010;santosiglesias, sierra & Vallejo-Medina, 2013) o las fantasías sexuales (sierra, ortega, Martín-ortiz & Vera-Villarroel, 2004;Moyano & sierra, 2012).…”

Female Sexual Well-Being ScaleTM: Responsiveness to Interventional Product Use by Sexually Functional Women

“…More recently, a complementary approach was proposed to assess female sexual function by evaluating community‐dwelling women without medical or psychological conditions [3]. Based on this approach, a new self‐administered questionnaire for assessing sexual well‐being in sexually functional women, the Female Sexual Well‐Being Scale TM (FSWB Scale TM ) [4], was developed according to the criteria for patient‐reported outcome measures recommended in the draft guidance from the Food and Drug Administration [5].…”

“…The development and validation of a new self‐administered outcome scale typically includes four main phases: (i) identification of the concepts to be measured, the intended application, and the population of subjects to be assessed; (ii) generation of the individual items of the scale; (iii) assessment of the reliability, validity, ability to detect change, and interpretability of overall and subscale scores; and (iv) additional validation upon modification of the scale's concepts, items, or format, subjects to be assessed, intended research application, culture or language of subjects being assessed, or method of administration [5]. Initial psychometric evaluation of the FSWB Scale demonstrated its reliability and content‐ and construct‐related validity for assessing sexual well‐being in a diverse population of US women [4]. The FSWB Scale, composed of interpersonal, cognitive‐emotional, physical arousal, and orgasm‐satisfaction domains, is unique in that it provides an assessment of sexual well‐being in healthy women.…”