title: Development of the virginity beliefs scale.
abstract: Past research on first sexual intercourse experiences and virginity has largely focused on using demographics such as age at first intercourse as predictors of future sexual behaviors and beliefs. Carpenter ( 2002 , 2005 ) suggested a model of three virginity metaphors that describe how individuals perceive their virginity: gift, stigma, and process. Using Carpenter's framework as a starting point, scale items were developed based on the conceptual understanding of the three metaphors. In Study 1 (N = 223, mean age = 19.9, SD = 2.4), 50 items were factor analyzed, yielding 22 items found to be strong indicators of the three metaphors; ten items for gift, eight for stigma, and four for process. The three subscales were validated using measures of gender-role beliefs and affective reactions to first intercourse. In Study 2 (N = 359, mean age = 19.7, SD = 2.4), confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the 22-item factor breakdown. The resulting Virginity Beliefs Scale is discussed in terms of how it applies to Carpenter's original framework and its future research potential.
authors: a Psychology Department , Trent University.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Eriksson
authors: Terry P
authors: TP
authors: Humphreys
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012746:Sexual Abstinence / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult