The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Quality of Sexual Experience Scale

Abstract

Objective: Quality of Sexual Experience Scale (QSES) that evaluates the quality of the last any sexual relationship stands out amongst other questionnaires with its event-level design. It was aimed to cross-culturally adapt, validate the QSE scale for use in Turkish population and strengthen the construct validity of the original scale. Methods: After cross-cultural adaptation procedure, the Turkish version of QSE and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were administered. The content/face validity, exploratory factor analysis, floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, reliability and criterion validity were appropriately assessed. Predefined and specific two hypotheses were formulated for the construct validity. The QSE, FSFI, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered to women with and without diabetes mellitus for between-subjects comparisons. Finally, the QSE, Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction and HADS were administered to couples with vaginismus before and after one comprehensive session of sexual counseling. Results: Our findings indicated excellent content/face validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.940), test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.992), sufficient criterion (r=0.731) and construct validity by proving the two hypotheses. Analyses formed one factor structure and no floor and ceiling effects. Discussion: This tool enables between-subject comparisons and within-subject comparisons across sexual events. The QSES was successfully adapted and validated for the Turkish population use in the assessment of quality of sexual experience. Its event-level design and simple structure contribute to be liberally used as a practical instrument in the gynecology, sexual medicine and psychiatry settings, as well as in clinical studies.