title: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Gay Male Sexual Difficulties Scale.
abstract: Sexual difficulties (i.e., disturbances in normal sexual responding) have the potential to significantly and negatively affect men's social and psychological well-being. However, a review of published measurement tools indicates that most have limited applicability to gay men, and none offer a nuanced understanding of sexual difficulties, as experienced by members of this population. To address this omission, the Gay Male Sexual Difficulties Scale (GMSDS) was developed using a sequential mixed-methods approach. The 25-item GMSDS uses a 6-point frequency Likert-type response format and examines: difficulties with receptive and insertive anal intercourse (5 items each); erectile difficulties (4 items); foreskin difficulties (4 items); body embarrassment (4 items); and seminal fluid concerns (3 items). The measure's scale score dimensionality, assessed using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as scale score reliability and validity (e.g., known-groups and convergent) was tested and deemed to be satisfactory. Limitations of the current series of studies and directions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lorraine K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: McDonagh
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A5, Canada.
authors.forename: Melanie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A5, Canada. Todd.Morrison@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Todd G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gay men; Psychometrics; Sexual behavior; Sexual dysfunction; Sexuality