Validity and reliability of a scale to measure genital body image.
Women's body image dissatisfaction extends to body parts usually hidden from view--their genitals. Ability to measure genital body image is limited by lack of valid and reliable questionnaires. We subjected a previously developed questionnaire, the Genital Self Image Scale (GSIS) to psychometric testing using a variety of methods.


METHODS
Five experts determined the content validity of the scale. Then using four participant groups, factor analysis was performed to determine construct validity and to identify factors. Further construct validity was established using the contrasting groups approach. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was determined.


RESULTS
Twenty one of 29 items were considered content valid. Two items were added based on expert suggestions. Factor analysis was undertaken resulting in four factors, identified as Genital Confidence, Appeal, Function, and Comfort. The revised scale (GSIS-20) included 20 items explaining 59.4% of the variance. Women indicating an interest in genital cosmetic surgery exhibited significantly lower scores on the GSIS-20 than those who did not. The final 20 item scale exhibited internal reliability across all sample groups as well as test-retest reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
The GSIS-20 provides a measure of genital body image demonstrating reliability and validity across several populations of women.
School of Nursing, College of Health & Human Services, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, USA. ruth.zielinski@wmich.edu
Ruth E
RE
Zielinski
Lisa
L
Kane-Low
Janis M
JM
Miller
Carolyn
C
Sampselle
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult