Specific Self-Efficacy for Modifying Sexual Interest in Children (SSIC): Construction and Validation of a Measuring Instrument

Abstract

The current study aimed the construction and validation of an instrument for assessing the specific self-efficacy for modifying sexual interest in children (SSIC). The construction process included 2 expert reviews resulting in a 6-item self-report questionnaire (SSIC-Scale). Regarding validation, the SSIC-Scale and additional psychometric instruments were assessed within a sample of 56 men having a sexual interest in children. Results demonstrated a good internal consistency (reliability) of the instrument with Cronbach´s α=0.87. The good construct validity was primarily shown by expected positive correlations of the SSIC-Scale with other aspects of sexuality such as sexual self-efficacy (r=0.54, p<0.01) and by the expected negative correlation with external locus of control (r=-0.25, p<0.10). Correlations with other variables such as general self-efficacy (r=0.15, p=0.29) or depression (r=-0.18, p=0.19) presented the expected direction, but did not reach statistical significance. The results indicate the existence of a construct that may be described as the specific self-efficacy for modifying sexual interest in children. Research implications especially concern the question whether the SSIC is influenceable due to specific interventions.