Sexual self-concept: Validation in multiple domains

Pantin, Kenzhane

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115421 Copy

Description

Title

Sexual self-concept: Validation in multiple domains

Author(s)

Pantin, Kenzhane

Issue Date

2022-04-22

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Derringer, Jaime

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Derringer, Jaime

Committee Member(s)

• Cohen, Dov
• Todd, Nathan
• Fraley, Chris
• Stern, Chadly

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

SSC, sexual self-concept, measure validation

Abstract

Sexual Self-Concept (SSC), a person’s evaluation of their sexual thoughts and feelings, is an integral part of physical and psychological well-being. SSC has been suggested to play a role in mental health, interpersonal relationships, and risk-taking (Volman et. al, 2007; Breakwell et. al, 1997). Despite the centrality of SSC to the universal human experience, there is relatively little quantitative psychological research into the construct. Much of the existing SSC research is qualitative (Wagner, J., & Rehfuss, 2008; Rashidian & Hussain, 2014), uses highly selected samples (Turner & Mo, 1984; Pai et al., 2010; Ziaei et al., 2013), or focuses on very narrowly defined aspects within the broad construct of SSC (Breakwell & Millward, 1997; Andersen & Cyranowski, 1994; Blashill et. al, 2016). To ameliorate this, the current study sought to evaluate the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Scale Short-Form (MSSCQ-SF) within an online sample (N=507). The MSSCQ-SF is a recently constructed SSC scale composed of four underlying factors (Sexual Agency, Sexual Anxiety, Sexual Desire, and Sexual Satisfaction) and purported to have robust psychometric properties (Pantin & Derringer, 2019). The goal was to establish the validity of the MSSCQ-SF by evaluating its four factors’ (1) relation to previously established measures of SSC, (2) their relation to previously established measures theoretically distinct from SSC, and (3) their ability to predict outcomes putatively associated with SSC. Sexual Desire and Sexual Anxiety established convergent validity with correlations above r=0.6. Sexual Satisfaction, Sexual Anxiety, and Sexual Agency established discriminant validity with correlations below r=|0.3|. Sexual Desire, Sexual Satisfaction, and Sexual Anxiety established criterion validity with correlations above r=|0.3|. In conclusion, the results suggested that the MSSCQ-SF is a valid measure for the assessment of SSC.

Graduation Semester

2022-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 Kenzhane Pantin

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