University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Sexual self-concept: Validation in multiple domains

Pantin, Kenzhane

Content Files
PANTIN-DISSERTATION-2022.pdf

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

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
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115421
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Kenzhane Pantin

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