Dyadic sexual communication scale: psychometrics properties and translation of the Persian version

Abstract

Sexual adjustment along with balance and moderation in sexual relationships are regarded as major factors contributing to a happy and successful married life. Valid and reliable instruments, such as the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC), are used as a means to investigate dyadic sexual communications. The present study aimed at translating, assessing the psychometric properties, and validating the Persian version of the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale. In this methodological study, the DSC Scale was “forward-backward” translated. After consulting the experts and couples, the content and face validity of the scale were determined qualitatively. The final version of the scale was completed by 300 married respondents residing in the city of Rasht chosen via convenience sampling. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and test-retest method. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to determine the validity of the scale. Cronbach’s alpha for all items was calculated as 0.814. The Sample size was calculated using KMO sampling adequacy test as 0.802. Some of the fit indices of factor analysis indicated that the two-factor model has best fit the data. Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the DSC Scale indicate a high level of reliability and validity and its applicability in Iran.

Keywords:

• Validity
• reliability
• psychometrics
• sexual communications

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express our gratitude to all individuals participating in the study who helped the researchers by completing the scale.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study (the project NO. 1395/ص/76923 (12/03/2017)) was funded by Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. We also appreciate the “Student Research Committee” and “Research & Technology Chancellor” in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for their financial support of this study.

Notes on contributors

Shiva Alizadeh

Shiva Alizadeh, is PhD Candidate in Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abbas Ebadi

Abbas Ebadi, PhD, is an associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Nursing Faculty, Tehran, Iran. He is a qualitative as well as quantitative researcher and a methodologist in research works.

Nourossadat Kariman

Nourossadat Kariman, PhD, is an assistant Professor in Reproductive Health at the Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Giti Ozgoli

Giti Ozgoli, PhD, is an assistant Professor in Reproductive Health at the Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.