The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS): results from a nationally representative probability sample of women in the United States.
BACKGROUND
Over the past two decades, an expanding body of research has examined women's and men's genital self-image. Support for the reliability and validity of the 7-item Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) has been found in a convenience sample of women.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the FGSIS, its model of fit, and its association with women's scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in a nationally representative probability sample of women in the United States ages 18 to 60. A second purpose was to assess the temporal stability of the scale in a subset of this sample.


METHODS
A nationally representative sample of 3,800 women ages 18 to 60 were invited to participate in a cross-sectional Internet-based survey; 2,056 (54.1%) participated.


METHODS
Demographic items (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, geographic region), having had a gynecological examination in the past year, having performed a genital self-examination in the past month, frequency of masturbation in the past month, vibrator use in the past month, the FGSIS, and the FSFI.


RESULTS
An abbreviated 4-item version of the scale, the FGSIS-4, was a better fit to the data than the original 7-item scale. Women's scores on the FGSIS-4 were significantly related to vibrator use, frequency of masturbation, having had a gynecological exam in the past year, having performed genital self examination in the past month, and all FSFI subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the participants felt generally positively about their genitals and female genital self-image was significantly related to female sexual function, women's sexual behavior and their sexual and genital healthcare behaviors. In addition, the FGSIS-4 has evidence of reliability, validity, and temporal stability in a nationally representative probability sample of women in the United States.
Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. debby@indiana.edu
Debra
D
Herbenick
Vanessa
V
Schick
Michael
M
Reece
Stephanie
S
Sanders
Brian
B
Dodge
J Dennis
JD
Fortenberry
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014481:United States