Measuring sexual interaction competence in adolescents: A validation study of the Sexual Interaction and Relationship Questionnaire (SIRQ)

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the internal structure, measurement invariance, and reliability of the Sexual Interaction and Relationship Questionnaire (SIRQ), which is a self-report instrument for measuring sexual interaction competence in adolescents. MethodsThe SIRQ was administered in a clinical sample (N = 827; M=15.51 years, SD=1.98 years). The factor structure of the SIRQ was examined by performing a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Measurement invariance was investigated for gender, age, education level, and cultural background. The reliability of the SIRQ was analyzed for different subgroups. ResultsA PCA yielded a one-dimensional factor solution with 13 items, which was confirmed in a CFA in the construction sample, and replicated with a CFA in the validation sample. Measurement invariance analyses revealed strict invariance for education level, metric invariance for gender and cultural background, and configural invariance for age. The reliability of the SIRQ was satisfactory (α = 0.73). ConclusionsIt is concluded that the SIRQ is a unique and useful instrument for both scientific research and clinical practice to assess sexual interaction competence in adolescents. Recommendations for further development and validation of the SIRQ are expanding the questionnaire with on topics that are not or not sufficiently represented in the validated version of the questionnaire, and developing separate norm scores for different groups of adolescents.