From Prevention to Promotion in Women’s Sexual Self‑Perceptions of Efficacy: The Sexual Self‑Efficacy Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction Available sexual self-efficacy (SSE) measures are mostly focused on self-perceptions of efficacy regarding engaging in specific preventive sexual behaviors, and do not include beliefs and expectations regarding behaviors aimed at achieving a more agentic and pleasurable sexual health in positive terms, nor do they consider the varied sexual orientations or relationship options. Methods This self-report-based, cross-sectional study sought to validate a new instrument to assess SSE for both preventive and health promotion sexual behaviors: the Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ), among a non-probabilistic sample of 1080 women aged 18–50 years old. Data were gathered from January 2015 to December 2021. For validation purposes, reliability, factorial structure, and convergent construct validity with other well-known instruments measuring SSE were analyzed. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a bifactorial structure of the SSEQ, with 10 items in the factor SSE for health-promotive actions and 10 items in the factor SSE for preventive actions. Furthermore, the SSEQ showed good reliability and convergent validity. Conclusions Our findings support the use of the SSEQ as an alternative tool with appropriate psychometric characteristics that assesses cognitions related to achieving a healthier sexuality through the performance of preventive behaviors aimed at avoiding potentially negative outcomes and those promotive actions leading to more gratifying consequences for women. Policy Implications The SSEQ can be used in research, educative, and clinical contexts to develop interventions to improve women’s behavioral competences and perceived confidence in their skills to achieve a healthier and more pleasurable and agentic sexuality.