The construct validity of the First Coital Affective Reaction Scale and Virginity Beliefs Scale

Abstract

Virginity loss is a pivotal life event which can have long-lasting effects on sexual behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct validity of two measures related to first sexual experience: the First Coital Affective Reaction Scale (FCARS) and the Virginity Beliefs Scale (VBS). Construct validity was investigated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, convergent and discriminant validity, and the known-groups method. Factor analysis of the FCARS suggested that a two-factor model – in which positive and negative affective reactions are separated – accurately reflects the variance in responses. Overall, the results provide support for the construct validity of the FCARS and VBS; however, a two-factor model of FCARS and removing one item of the VBS may improve the measures' psychometric properties.