Sexual Self-Concept: Testing a Hypothetical Model for Men and Women

Abstract

One theoretical concept receiving modest attention in contemporary sex research is the sexual self-concept (SSC). However, a lack of cohesion within this research has culminated in a collection of SSC models which overlap one another but which are not exactly the same. Therefore, a unified conceptual model of SSC needs to be established. In addition, little research has examined potential differences between genders in SSC, as most SSC research has focused on women. Using Buzwell and Rosenthal's 1996 sexual selves model as a theoretical basis, a six-factor higher-order latent SSC model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Lower-order factors for this model included multidimensional sexual self-esteem and sexual self-efficacy factors, as well as unidimensional arousal, anxiety, exploration, and commitment factors. A five-factor latent model (after removing the commitment and the resistance sexual self-efficacy factors) was the best-fitting model. This model was then tested for measurement and structural invariance between genders. Results indicated that while the measurement of SSC was similar between men and women, structural invariance did not hold, as men had a significantly higher latent SSC score compared to women. These findings have important implications for sexual self-concept research, as well as contributing to better understanding of human sexuality.

Acknowledgments

This study was conducted as part of the first author's doctoral dissertation research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The authors would like to thank Lisa J. Crockett, Gustavo Carlo, and Les Whitbeck, who provided valuable comments to the undertaking of the research presented here.

Notes

¹These models were found by searching PsychInfo and Google Scholar using the term sexual self-concept. Models were included only if they were referred to as “sexual self-concept” models in the study.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. Correlations for women are on the upper diagonal; correlations for men are on the lower diagonal.

*p < .05. **p < .01.