Abstract
The Women’s Nontraditional Sexuality Questionnaire (WNSQ) was developed, and its factor structure, reliability, and convergent
and concurrent validity assessed, in two samples of midwestern U.S. college women. Study 1 (N = 243) used exploratory factor analysis to assess the instrument dimensionality. In Study 2 (N = 627), the fit of the four-factor solution derived from Study 1 was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Results
supported a four-factor solution comprising: Involvement in Casual Sex, Self-Pleasuring, Degree of Sexual Interest, and Using
Sex as a Means to an End. WNSQ total score and subscales had acceptable internal consistency reliability. Convergent validity
was supported by significant correlations of the WNSQ and its subscales with a measure of casual sex (the Sociosexual Orientation
Index), and with a measure of adherence to traditional feminine sexual norms (the Purity subscale of the Femininity Ideology
Scale). The WNSQ showed weak relationships with a measure of risky sexual health communication practices (Health Protective
Sexual Communication Scale). The WNSQ offers promise for study of women’s sexual attitudes and behaviors.
and concurrent validity assessed, in two samples of midwestern U.S. college women. Study 1 (N = 243) used exploratory factor analysis to assess the instrument dimensionality. In Study 2 (N = 627), the fit of the four-factor solution derived from Study 1 was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Results
supported a four-factor solution comprising: Involvement in Casual Sex, Self-Pleasuring, Degree of Sexual Interest, and Using
Sex as a Means to an End. WNSQ total score and subscales had acceptable internal consistency reliability. Convergent validity
was supported by significant correlations of the WNSQ and its subscales with a measure of casual sex (the Sociosexual Orientation
Index), and with a measure of adherence to traditional feminine sexual norms (the Purity subscale of the Femininity Ideology
Scale). The WNSQ showed weak relationships with a measure of risky sexual health communication practices (Health Protective
Sexual Communication Scale). The WNSQ offers promise for study of women’s sexual attitudes and behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9793-6
- Authors
- Ronald F. Levant, Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, College of Arts & Sciences Building, Room 350, Akron, OH 44325-4301, USA
- Thomas J. Rankin, Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, College of Arts & Sciences Building, Room 350, Akron, OH 44325-4301, USA
- Rosalie J. Hall, Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, College of Arts & Sciences Building, Room 301, Akron, OH 44325-4301, USA
- K. Bryant Smalley, Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
- Christine M. Williams, Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, College of Arts & Sciences Building, Room 350, Akron, OH 44325-4301, USA
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002