Faculty Collaboration Database

Development and Initial Validation of the PROMIS(®) Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measures Version 2.0. J Sex Med 2015 Sep;12(9):1961-74

Date

09/09/2015

Pubmed ID

26346418

DOI

10.1111/jsm.12966

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84941878275 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   123 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)(®) Sexual Function and Satisfaction measure (SexFS) version 1.0 was developed with cancer populations. There is a need to expand the SexFS and provide evidence of its validity in diverse populations.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the development of the SexFS v2.0 and present preliminary evidence for its validity.

METHODS: Development built on version 1.0, plus additional review of extant items, discussions with 15 clinical experts, 11 patient focus groups (including individuals with diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and/or are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or aged 65 or older), 48 cognitive interviews, and psychometric evaluation in a random sample of U.S. adults plus an oversample for specific sexual problems (2281 men, 1686 women). We examined differential item functioning (DIF) by gender and sexual activity. We examined convergent and known-groups validity.

RESULTS: The final set of domains includes 11 scored scales (interest in sexual activity, lubrication, vaginal discomfort, clitoral discomfort, labial discomfort, erectile function, orgasm ability, orgasm pleasure, oral dryness, oral discomfort, satisfaction), and six nonscored item pools (screeners, sexual activities, anal discomfort, therapeutic aids, factors interfering with sexual satisfaction, bother). Domains from version 1.0 were reevaluated and improved. Domains considered applicable across gender and sexual activity status, namely interest, orgasm, and satisfaction, were found to have significant DIF. We identified subsets of items in each domain that provided consistent measurement across these important respondent groups. Convergent and known-groups validity was supported.

CONCLUSIONS: The SexFS version 2.0 has several improvements and enhancements over version 1.0 and other extant measures, including expanded evidence for validity, scores centered around norms for sexually active U.S. adults, new domains, and a final set of items applicable for both men and women and those sexually active with a partner and without. The SexFS is customizable, allowing users to select relevant domains and items for their study.

Author List

Weinfurt KP, Lin L, Bruner DW, Cyranowski JM, Dombeck CB, Hahn EA, Jeffery DD, Luecht RM, Magasi S, Porter LS, Reese JB, Reeve BB, Shelby RA, Smith AW, Willse JT, Flynn KE

Author

Kathryn Eve Flynn PhD Vice Chair, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety
Depression
Female
Focus Groups
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Orgasm
Penile Erection
Personal Satisfaction
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Sexual Behavior
Surveys and Questionnaires