Psychometric validation of the Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Test –Adolescents (SKAT-A) in an Iranian sample

Cogent Psychology

Seyed Mohammad Kalantarkousheh¹  Mahsa Motedayen²  Martin Komarc³  Lawrence M. Scheier⁴ 

[1] Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Ira;Department of Psychology and Education Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Ira;Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Kinanthropology and Humanities, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republi;LARS Research Institute, Visiting Scholar, UNC Greensboro, Department of Public Health Education, Senior Research Scientist, Prevention Strategies, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ, US;

关键词: sexual attitudes;    sexual behavior;    factorial validity;    ESEM;    cultural beliefs;    Iran;   

DOI  :  10.1080/23311908.2019.1585505

来源: Taylor & Francis

【 摘 要 】

A rise in sexually transmitted diseases and liberalization of sexual attitudes has encouraged several Islamic countries to actively pursue sexual education programs. Support for this effort requires psychometrically sound instruments that can be used to assess sexual attitudes and obtain a richer understanding of the relations between attitudes and behavior. To address this knowledge gap, we translated the Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Test—Adolescents (SKAT-A) from English to Farsi. We then examined the instrument’s factorial structure and criterion validity using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) with a sample of adolescent and young adult Iranians. A six-factor model fit well including constructs assessing premarital sexuality, masturbation, homosexuality, pornography, abortion, and sexual coercion. All scales had adequate internal consistencies ranging from .66 to .85. There was sufficient evidence supporting several different forms of measurement equivalence based on gender, age and religious participation. Associations between sexual attitudes and markers of sexual activity were moderate and in the expected directions. Total replication of the U.S. factor structure was not obtained, however, there is evidence that core constructs in the instrument assessing sexual attitudes are suitable for use in a wide range of cultures, even those predicated on a strong religious beliefs system.

【 授权许可】

CC BY