title: Test-retest reliability of self-reported sexual behavior, sexual orientation, and psychosexual milestones among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths.
abstract: Despite the importance of reliable self-reported sexual information for research on sexuality and sexual health, research has not examined reliability of information provided by gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths. Test-retest reliability of self-reported sexual behaviors, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and psychosexual developmental milestones was examined among an ethnically diverse sample of 64 self-identified GLB youths. Two face-to-face interviews were conducted approximately 2 weeks apart using the Sexual Risk Behavior Assessment Schedule for Homosexual Youths (SERBAS-Y-HM). Overall, the mean of the test-retest reliability coefficients was substantial for 6 of the 7 domains: lifetime sexual behaviors (M=.89), sexual behavior in the past 3 months (M=.96), unprotected sexual behavior in the past 3 months (M=.93), sexual identity (kappa=.89), sexual orientation (M=.82), and ages of various psychosexual developmental milestones (M=.77). Inconsistent reliability was found for reports of sexual behaviors while using substances. A small number of gender differences emerged, with lower reliability among female youths in the lifetime number of same-sex partners. The overall findings suggest that a wide range of self-reported sexual information can be reliably assessed among GLB youths by means of interviewer-administered questionnaires, such as the SERBAS-Y-HM.
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Program in Psychology, The City University of New York - Graduate Center, New York, New York, USA. es458@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Eric W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Schrimshaw
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosario
authors.forename: Heino F L
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Meyer-Bahlburg
authors.forename: Alice A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Scharf-Matlick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires