The sexual self-esteem inventory - short form (SSEI-SF): factor structure of the scale for the Portuguese population

Liliana Mendes; Levi  Leonido; Inês   Carvalho; Ana  Barbosa; Ana Filipa   Martins; Maria de Fátima  Ribeiro; Elsa Morgado

doi:10.5937/specedreh24-53627

Liliana Mendes University of Combria, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research - CIBIT, Coimbra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7938-6166
Levi Leonido University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal & Catholic University of Portugal, Centre for Research in Science and Technology of the Arts, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6603-034X
Inês Carvalho University of Minho: Master´s Degree Student, Braga, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0030-9756
Ana Barbosa University of Minho: Master´s Degree Student, Braga, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7729-5429
Ana Filipa Martins University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro: Master´s Degree Student, Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7737-2123
Maria de Fátima Ribeiro University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro: Master´s Degree Student, Vila Real, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3581-3449
Elsa Morgado Centre for Studies in Education and Innovation – CI&DEI, IPV, Portugal & Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3653-7876

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/specedreh24-53627

Keywords: sexual self-esteem, young adults, sexuality, Portuguese population

Abstract

Introduction. Sexuality plays a pivotal role in human life, shaping individuals’ perceptions and practices, known as sexual self-esteem, which significantly influences attitudes and behaviours. Aim. This study aimed to examine the factor structure and reliability of the Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory (SSEI) in its abbreviated form for the Portuguese population, considering five distinct aspects: Skill/Experience, Attractiveness, Control, Moral Judgment, and Adaptiveness. Method. A cross-sectional, quantitative, comparative, and correlational study with a quasi-experimental design was conducted. A total of 901 individuals aged 18 to 39 years (M = 25.52, SD = 6.27), predominantly female (67.8%), participated in the study. The factor structure was analysed via exploratory factor analysis, and instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results. The exploratory factor analysis yielded 24 items organized into four factors - Emotional Readiness, Competence and Experience, Attractiveness, and Adaptiveness - explaining 51.99% of the total variance. All factors exhibited good internal consistency. Conclusion. Thus, the inventory demonstrated adequate factor structure and reliability and is deemed suitable for assessing self-perceptions regarding sexuality across four dimensions in a Portuguese sample.

Author Biography

Elsa Morgado, Centre for Studies in Education and Innovation – CI&DEI, IPV, Portugal & Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal

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