Related Experiment Videos
Psychometric properties of the Female Sexual Function Index in the visual analogue scale format
Raquel E Wolpe1, Ana P A Queiroz2, Kamilla Zomkowski2
1Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Health Sciences and Sports Center (CEFID), Women's Health Laboratory, Rua Paschoal Simone, 358 Coqueiros, CEP 88080-350, Florianópolis (SC), Brazil.
Abstract:
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is the gold standard for evaluating female sexual function, yet it has not been validated in a visual analogue scale (VAS) format. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the FSFI applied to the VAS.
Methods:
The study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, the instrument was adapted by two independent researchers, generating two versions, which were evaluated by a committee of six experts. The FSFI-VAS, resulting from this first phase, was used in a pilot study with 45 women. In Phase 2, the FSFI-Likert (original format) and FSFI-VAS questionnaires were administered to 246 women recruited to the study. Tests of reproducibility (test-retest/phase 3), internal consistency, discriminant validity and construct validity were applied.
Results:
In Phase 1, the pilot study showed that there were no doubts and difficulties completing the FSFI-VAS. In Phase 2, the Spearman rank (validity) test showed high correlation between the total scores on the FSFI-Likert and FSFI-VAS (0.87). The results of the internal consistency test were between 0.66 and 0.88, and the results of the construct validity test indicated a good value (0.73). The discriminant validity test was also appropriate. In Phase 3, the lowest intraclass correlation coefficient value was 0.81.
Conclusion:
The FSFI-VAS has internal consistency, construct validity, discriminant validity and reproducibility adequate to assess female sexual dysfunction in young women.