development and psychometric validation of the fsbwq
Description
This study introduces the Female Sexual Well-being Questionnaire (FSWBQ), a culturally specific tool designed to measure sexual well-being among Iranian women by encompassing cognitive, emotional, relational, and physiological dimensions. Unlike existing measures that mainly focus on dysfunction or physical aspects, the FSWBQ was developed through comprehensive literature reviews, expert consultations, and focus groups, leading to the refinement of 67 initial items into a 31-item questionnaire with seven subscales: Frequency and Quality of Relationship, Emotional Sensitivity, Satisfaction with Orgasm and Sexual Pleasure, Mood, Awareness, Lubrication, and Emotional Relationship. Data collected from 355 sexually active Iranian women demonstrated the FSWBQ's strong psychometric properties, including excellent internal consistency and construct validity. By addressing the limitations of existing tools and incorporating elements like relational dynamics, emotional intimacy, and self-awareness, the FSWBQ provides a holistic approach to assessing sexual well-being. Its cultural specificity ensures that it aligns with the experiences of Iranian women, filling gaps left by adapted Western instruments, and it is designed for both research and clinical applications, offering a foundation for exploring sexual well-being in Persian-speaking populations.
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Materials and Methods Study Design This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate the Female Sexual Well-being Questionnaire (FSWBQ). It was conducted in two phases: item development and factor analysis. Items were generated via literature review, expert input, and qualitative feedback from Iranian women, followed by pretesting. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA/CFA) were performed using a split sample of 355 participants. Though split-sample validation is standard, future studies should replicate findings in independent samples for stronger generalizability. Participants A total of 355 sexually active Iranian women aged 18–65 (M = 34.01, SD = 14.14) were recruited via convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria included being sexually active, living with a partner, and reading Persian. Exclusion criteria were psychiatric or sexual-impairing medical conditions. Ethical Considerations Ethical approval was granted by Iran’s Ministry of Health (IR.KHU.REC.1401.001). Participants provided informed consent. Data were anonymous, securely stored, and participation was voluntary, with no compensation. Instrument Development An initial pool of 67 items was developed through literature, expert input, and focus groups. Pretested with 30 women, the items were refined through EFA and reliability testing. Items with low loadings or poor consistency were removed, yielding a final 31-item scale across seven subscales: Frequency/Quality of Relationship, Orgasm Satisfaction, Lubrication, Awareness, Emotional Sensitivity, Mood, and Emotional Relationship. Scoring Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Subscale scores are summed individually, with higher scores indicating better well-being. The total score reflects overall sexual well-being. Normative data were derived from this sample. Data Collection & Analysis Data were collected online from Feb–Apr 2023 via social media and forums. EFA and CFA were conducted in R using lavaan, with model fit assessed by CFI, TLI, RMSEA, and SRMR. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients. Norming used the cNORM package.
Institutions
- Kharazmi University