The efficacy of utilizing a sexual functioning inventory with an in-patient adolescent population
Abstract
The Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI) (Derogatis, 1975), a mulitdimensional questionnaire, has been evaluated in many different pieces of research. It has been found to be a reliable and valid instrument when utilized with adults. The usefulness of the DSFI with an adolescent population has not been investigated prior to the present study. Specifically, the subjects were in-patients from a private psychiatric hospital who completed the DSFI as part of their full psychological evaluation. Eight of the subtests will be analyzed; Information, Experience, Drive, Attitudes, Gender Role, Fantasy, Body Image and Satisfaction. While examining the DSFI's reliability, Reading Level was found to have significant impact on one subtest (Information). Intellectual Functioning contributed a significant amount of the variance to a few subtests (Information, Attitudes, Fantasy and Body Image). Response Bias was measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI L, F and K Scales). The L Scale impacted significantly on several DSFI subtests (Experience, Drive, Fantasy and Body Image). The F Scale only had an effect on one subtest (Body Image) as did the K Scale (Satisfaction). The remaining variables addressed the construct validity of the DSFI; Level of Psychological Discomfort (A Scale from the MMPI), Social Introversion (Scale 0 from the MMPI), Social Maladjustment (Scale 4 from the MMPI), Gender Identity (Scale 5 from the MMPI), Body Comfort (Scale C from the MAPI) and Sexual Acceptance (Scale D from the MAPI). There were many significant relationships which contributed to a conclusion that this is a valid instrument with this population. For example, Scale 5 from the MMPI had a significant relationship to the DSFI Gender Role Definition subtest and both MAPI Scales significantly impacted upon the DSFI Body Image Scale.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology|Psychotherapy|Psychological tests
Recommended Citation
Sasloff, Jacqueline Paige, "The efficacy of utilizing a sexual functioning inventory with an in-patient adolescent population" (1994). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI9503978.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI9503978
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