(058) Attention to Genital Cues Scale - Principal Components Analysis and Correlational Validity

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The Attention to Genital Cues (AGC) scale was developed to characterize respondents’ usual experience observing genital sensations by capturing perceived prevalence, ease, and value of being aware of genital cues (Handy & Meston, 2016, 2018). The scale has been predominantly used in the literature as a descriptive measure (A. Handy, personal communication, October 13, 2020). However, there appears to be no published data for using it in quantitative statistical analyses. Quantitative information about genital cue observation may be useful, as it has been reported that awareness of these sensations is salient for some women’s sexual arousal (Meston & Stanton, 2018). Objectives The objective of this investigation was to explore the psychometric properties of the AGC scale. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of 2018 data collected from student and community participants regarding genital arousal sensations. The current investigation focused on responses to the AGC scale, which consists of an initial skip pattern question followed by four scored items and a free-text response (Handy & Meston, n.d.). The sample was limited to women who endorsed usually paying attention to genital cues when sexually engaged and/or aroused (N = 491). A principal components analysis was performed on the four scored items to determine whether the items comprised a single factor; bivariate correlations were calculated to determine convergent and discriminant validity as well as to explore other potential associations of interest. Variables used for the latter analysis were subscales of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness scale (Mehling et al., 2012), which measures bodily mindfulness (noticing, not-distracting, not-worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trusting); the arousal subscale of the Female Sexual Function Index (Rosen et al., 2000); and the tiredness and negative arousal subscales of the Four Dimensional Mood Scale (Huelsman et al., 1998). Results A principal components analysis produced a .62 Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy, which surpassed the value of .50 suggested as adequate by Kaiser (1970), and a significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity (χ2 (6) = 311.15, p < .00) (Barlett, 1950). All of the item loadings were above .40 (.56 - .82) on a single factor for genital attending; therefore, rotation was not necessary. Reliability for the measure was adequate (α = .64), especially given the relatively small number of items. There was some support for the measure’s convergent validity: the AGC was positively associated with attention regulation (r = .12, p < .01), noticing (r =.19, p < .00), and sexual arousal (r = .198, p < .009). However, a significant association was not found between AGC and body listening (r = .03, p < .47). AGC scores were not significantly related to dispositional tiredness (r = .03, p < .54) or negative affect (r = -.12, p < .01), demonstrating discriminant validity. Additionally, age (r = .18, p < .00), self-regulation (r = .11, p < .02), and trusting (r = .10, p < .02) were significantly correlated with AGC scores. Conclusions The AGC scale has adequate psychometric properties to function as a single factor scale. This measure may be useful in future quantitative investigations focused on sexual psychophysiology, sexual functioning, or bodily mindfulness. Disclosure No.