The Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ): a psychometric evaluation

Abstract

This study is a psychometric evaluation of the Sexual Activity Questionnaire, a 20-item tool that is focused on the relational, emotional, and behavioral aspects of sexual activity in the general population. The Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology proposed this tool. The study sample comprises 618 subjects (ages 18–80) from several cities in Italy. The instrument’s dimensionality assessment is based on parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis, and the evaluation of items’ fit and differential functioning (with respect to the respondents’ gender, age, and education) are based on the partial credit model. The statistical analyses reveal the presence of two latent variables, as measured using the Satisfaction and Complicity and Non-Penile–Vaginal Practices subscales. The items have satisfactory fit, and the two subscales’ scores have good reliability. The Satisfaction and Complicity subscale is correlated with age and personal well-being but not with gender, relationship length, or the tendency to give socially desirable responses. The Non-Penile–Vaginal Practices subscale is correlated with gender and social desirability. The Sexual Activity Questionnaire shows good psychometric properties and is well-suited for use in clinical and research settings. This study includes discussions of its clinical characteristics, hypothetical applications, and future directions

Keywords:

• Sexuality
• assessment
• Sexual Activity Questionnaire
• SAQ
• partial credit model

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vieri Boncinelli

Vieri Boncinelli Professor, President of the Scientific Committee of Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS), President of Study Center for Therapy of Affective and Sexual Disorders (Centro D.A.S. Centro Studi di Terapia dei Disturbi Affettivi e Sessuali).

Cristina Civilotti

Cristina Civilotti Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, Adjunct professor, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy and Istituto Universitario Salesiano of Turin (IUSTO), Italy.

Roberto Bernorio

Roberto Bernorio Psychotherapist, Vice president of the Scientific Committee of Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS).

Salvatore Caruso

Salvatore Caruso Past president of the Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS), Associate Professor of Gynecology and obstetrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catania, Italy.

Giulia Di Fini

Giulia Di Fini Psychologist Psychotherapist, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy.

Roberta Giommi

Roberta Giommi Psychologist Psychotherapist, Secretary of the Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS).

Elena Lenzi

Giuseppe Mori Gynecologist, Member of the Scientific Committee of Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS).

Giuseppe Mori

Elena Lenzi Psychologist Psychotherapist, Member of the Scientific Committee of Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS).

Cristina Rossetto

Cristina Rossetto Psychologist Psychotherapist, Study Center for Therapy of Affective and Sexual Disorders (Centro D.A.S. Centro Studi di Terapia dei Disturbi Affettivi e Sessuali), Genoa, Italy.

Roberta Rossi

Roberta Rossi Psychologist Psychotherapist, President of the Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS).

Chiara Simonelli

Chiara Simonelli Member of the Scientific Committee of Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS), Past President of the European Federation of Sexology – EFS), Associate Professor, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza - University of Rome.

Anna Tampelli

Anna Tampelli Psychologist Psychotherapist, Member of the Scientific Committee of Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (Federazione italiana di sessuologia scientifica - FISS), Member and Trainer of the Italian Centre of Sexology (Centro Italiano di Sessuologia), Bologna, Italy.

Fabio Veglia

Fabio Veglia Psychologist Psychotherapist, Full Professor in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy. Director of the School of Specialization in Cognitive Psychotherapy Centro Clinico Crocetta of Turin, Genoa and Vercelli. Didactic director of the School of Cognitive Psychotherapy of childhood and adolescence of Novara.

Silvia Testa

Silvia Testa Associate Professor in Psychometrics, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Valle d’Aosta, Aosta, Italy..