Test-Retest Reliability Of Self-Reported Sexual History Among Heterosexual Youth

Abstract

Purpose: Sexual health researchers typically rely on self-reports to assess the prevalence of sexual behaviors and the impact of interventions aimed at reducing sexual risks among youth. Biases due to incorrect recall and desirable responding can introduce errors in predicting individual risk or assessing changes. In addition, available test-retest studies often rely on inadequate assessment periods and the scope of sexual behaviors examined is often limited. Moreover, test-retest studies are rarely partner-specific and rather focus on sexual behaviors occurring within a specific time period.