Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Current Women`s Health Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-4048
ISSN (Online): 1875-6581

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Research Article

Psychometric Properties of Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale- Persian Version

Author(s): Nasim Bahrami, Sara Ghorbani, Mark D. Griffiths and Zainab Alimoradi*

Volume 21, Issue 3, 2025

Published on: 29 January, 2024

Article ID: e290124226297 Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/0115734048275113240101074113

Price: $65

Abstract

Background and Aim: Couples’ sexual communication is one of the contributing factors to the quality of couples’ sexual relationships. The aim of the present study was to psychometrically evaluate the Persian version of the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSCS) among married women of reproductive age.

Methods: In this psychometric study, translation was carried out using the back-translation method. The validity of the final version of the DSCS was performed using confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Concurrent validity was examined using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and Marital Intimacy Scale (MIS). Reliability was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Mplus software.

Results: The participants comprised 400 married women with a mean age of 35.66 years living in Qazvin, Iran. Construct validity was confirmed based on confirmatory factor analysis (χ2[df]: 113.49 (65), Tucker-Lewis index: 0.980, Composite Reliability: 0.87, SRMSR: 0.065, RMSEA: 0.043, CFI: 0.983. Concurrent validity was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, and the DSCS was positively correlated with scores on the MIS (r=0.64) and FSFI (r=0.65) and negatively correlated with scores on the FSDS (r=-0.61). The internal reliability of the Persian DSCS was very good (Cronbach’s alpha=0.88).

Conclusion: Based on psychometric testing, the Persian DSCS has good validity and reliability. Therefore, the tool can be used to assess women’s sexual communication in the context of sexual relationships. Future research should include males, and compare and contrast results with females.

Keywords: Dyadic sexual communication, sexual relationships, psychometrics, Persian Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale, data analysis, marital intimacy scale.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Roustit, C.; Chaix, B.; Chauvin, P. Family breakup and adolescents’ psychosocial maladjustment: Public health implications of family disruptions. Pediatrics, 2007, 120(4), e984-e991.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-3172] [PMID: 17908754]
[2]
Funk, J.L.; Rogge, R.D. Testing the ruler with item response theory: Increasing precision of measurement for relationship satisfaction with the Couples Satisfaction Index. J. Fam. Psychol., 2007, 21(4), 572-583.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.572] [PMID: 18179329]
[3]
Laumann, E.O.; Paik, A.; Glasser, D.B.; Kang, J.H.; Wang, T.; Levinson, B.; Moreira, E.D., Jr; Nicolosi, A.; Gingell, C. A cross-national study of subjective sexual well-being among older women and men: findings from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. Arch. Sex. Behav., 2006, 35(2), 143-159.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-005-9005-3] [PMID: 16752118]
[4]
Hendrick, S.S.; Dicke, A.; Hendrick, C. The Relationship Assessment Scale. J. Soc. Pers. Relat., 1998, 15(1), 137-142.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0265407598151009]
[5]
Baumeister, R.F.; Vohs, K.D.; Tice, D.M. The strength model of self-control. Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci., 2007, 16(6), 351-355.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00534.x]
[6]
Sánchez-Fuentes, MdM. A systematic review of sexual satisfaction. Int. J. Clin. Health Psychol., 2014, 14(1)
[7]
MacNeil, S.; Byers, E.S. Role of sexual self-disclosure in the sexual satisfaction of long-term heterosexual couples. J. Sex Res., 2009, 46(1), 3-14.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224490802398399] [PMID: 19012061]
[8]
Henderson, A.W.; Lehavot, K.; Simoni, J.M. Ecological models of sexual satisfaction among lesbian/bisexual and heterosexual women. Arch. Sex. Behav., 2009, 38(1), 50-65.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-008-9384-3] [PMID: 18574685]
[9]
Edwards, JN; Booth, A Sexuality, marriage, and well-being: The middle years. In: Sexuality across the life course; The University of Chicago Press, 1994.
[10]
Byers, E.S.; Demmons, S. Sexual satisfaction and sexual self-disclosure within dating relationships. J. Sex Res., 1999, 36(2), 180-189.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224499909551983]
[11]
Meston, C.; Trapnell, P. Development and validation of a five-factor sexual satisfaction and distress scale for women: The Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W). J. Sex. Med., 2005, 2(1), 66-81.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.20107.x] [PMID: 16422909]
[12]
Lipton, J.E. Gender gap: The biology of male-female differences; Transaction Publishers, 2002.
[13]
Hawton, K. Sex therapy: A practical guide; Oxford University Press, 1985.
[14]
Trudel, G. Sexuality and marital life: Results of a survey. J. Sex Marital Ther., 2002, 28(3), 229-249.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/009262302760328271] [PMID: 11995602]
[15]
Hurlbert, D.F. The role of assertiveness in female sexuality: A comparative study between sexually assertive and sexually nonassertive women. J. Sex Marital Ther., 1991, 17(3), 183-190.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00926239108404342] [PMID: 1758001]
[16]
Blanchard, V.L.; Hawkins, A.J.; Baldwin, S.A.; Fawcett, E.B. Investigating the effects of marriage and relationship education on couples’ communication skills: A meta-analytic study. J. Fam. Psychol., 2009, 23(2), 203-214.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0015211] [PMID: 19364214]
[17]
McManus, T.G.; Donovan, S. Communication competence and feeling caught: Explaining perceived ambiguity in divorce-related communication. Commun. Q., 2012, 60(2), 255-277.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2012.669328]
[18]
Roels, R.; Janssen, E. Sexual and relationship satisfaction in young, heterosexual couples: The role of sexual frequency and sexual communication. J. Sex. Med., 2020, 17(9), 1643-1652.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.06.013] [PMID: 32694066]
[19]
Muise, A.; Maxwell, J.A.; Impett, E.A. What theories and methods from relationship research can contribute to sex research. J. Sex Res., 2018, 55(4-5), 540-562.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2017.1421608] [PMID: 29419322]
[20]
Herbenick, D.; Eastman-Mueller, H.; Fu, T.; Dodge, B.; Ponander, K.; Sanders, S.A. Women’s sexual satisfaction, communication, and reasons for (no longer) faking orgasm: Findings from a U.S. probability sample. Arch. Sex. Behav., 2019, 48(8), 2461-2472.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-01493-0] [PMID: 31502071]
[21]
Hemati, L.; Shayan, A.; Kazemi, F.; Soltani, F. Reducing sexual communication anxiety of women upon marriage: A randomized quasi-experimental study from iran. Curr. Womens Health Rev., 2021, 17(2), 121-127.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573404817999201221113642]
[22]
Merghati Khoei, E.; Moeini, B.; Barati, M.; Soltanian, A.R.; Shahpiri, E.; Ghaleiha, A.; Bagherikholenjani, F. A qualitative inquiry of sexuality in Iranian couples using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills paradigm. J. Egypt. Public Health Assoc., 2019, 94(1), 27.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s42506-019-0024-7] [PMID: 32813061]
[23]
Alimoradi, Z.; Ghorbani, S.; Bahrami, N.; Griffiths, M.D.; Pakpour, A.H. Socio-demographic predictors of dyadic sexual communication among Iranian married women. Sexologies, 2022, 31(4), 311-317.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2021.09.003]
[24]
NasrollahiMola, N.; Bahrami, N.; Ranjbaran, M.; Alimoradi, Z. Predictors of sexual assertiveness in a sample of Iranian married women of reproductive age. Sex. Relationship Ther., 2023, 38(1), 74-86.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2020.1740672]
[25]
Young, ME; Long, LL Counseling and therapy for couples; Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing Co, 1998.
[26]
Ahmadi, K; Fathi-Ashtiani, A; Navabinejad, S The study of contextual-personal and relationship-mutual factors on marital adjustment. Family Res., 2005, 1(3), 221-237.
[27]
DeVellis, R.F. Classical test theory. Med. Care, 2006, 44(11), S50-S59.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.mlr.0000245426.10853.30] [PMID: 17060836]
[28]
Thomas, M.L. Advances in applications of item response theory to clinical assessment. Psychol. Assess., 2019, 31(12), 1442-1455.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pas0000597] [PMID: 30869966]
[29]
Himelfarb, I. A primer on standardized testing: History, measurement, classical test theory, item response theory, and equating. J. Chiropr. Educ., 2019, 33(2), 151-163.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.7899/JCE-18-22] [PMID: 31169998]
[30]
Wright, B.D.; Mok, M. Understanding Rasch measurement: Rasch models overview. J. Appl. Meas., 2000.
[31]
Catania, J.A. Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale. In: Handbook of sexuality-related measures; Routledge, 1998.
[32]
Alizadeh, S.; Ebadi, A.; Kariman, N.; Ozgoli, G. Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale: Psychometrics properties and translation of the Persian version. Sex. Relationship Ther., 2020, 35(1), 103-114.
[33]
DeRogatis, L.; Pyke, R.; McCormack, J.; Hunter, A.; Harding, G. Does the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised cover the feelings of women with HSDD? J. Sex. Med., 2011, 8(10), 2810-2815.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02385.x] [PMID: 21771282]
[34]
DeRogatis, L.; Clayton, A.; Lewis-D’Agostino, D.; Wunderlich, G.; Fu, Y. Validation of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised for assessing distress in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. J. Sex. Med., 2008, 5(2), 357-364.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00672.x] [PMID: 18042215]
[35]
Azimi Nekoo, E.; Burri, A.; Ashrafti, F.; Fridlund, B.; Koenig, H.G.; Derogatis, L.R.; Pakpour, A.H. Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised in women. J. Sex. Med., 2014, 11(4), 995-1004.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12449] [PMID: 24641598]
[36]
Karimi, B.; Khalatbari, J. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on couple’s burnout, marital adjustment and intimacy. J. Educ. Psychol., 2017, 8(1), 65-74.
[37]
Rosen, R.; Brown, C.; Heiman, J.; Leiblum, S.; Meston, C.; Shabsigh, R.; Ferguson, D.; D’Agostino, R., Jr The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J. Sex Marital Ther., 2000, 26(2), 191-208.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/009262300278597] [PMID: 10782451]
[38]
Fakhri, A.; Pakpour, A.H.; Burri, A.; Morshedi, H.; Zeidi, I.M. The Female Sexual Function Index: Translation and validation of an Iranian version. J. Sex. Med., 2012, 9(2), 514-523.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02553.x] [PMID: 22146084]
[39]
Rosseel, Y; Oberski, D; Byrnes, J Package ‘lavaan’. 2017. Available from: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op= view_citation&hl=en&user=j3LryFEAAAAJ&citation_for_view= j3LryFEAAAAJ:YsMSGLbcyi4C
[40]
Li, C.H. Confirmatory factor analysis with ordinal data: Comparing robust maximum likelihood and diagonally weighted least squares. Behav. Res. Methods, 2016, 48(3), 936-949.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13428-015-0619-7] [PMID: 26174714]
[41]
Smith, E.V., Jr Understanding Rasch measurement: Detecting and evaluating the impact of multidimenstionality using item fit statistics and principal component analysis of residuals. J. Appl. Meas., 2002, 3, 205-231.
[PMID: 12011501]
[42]
Linacre, JM WINSTEPS Rasch measurement computer program; WINSTEPS, 2011.
[43]
Gagnon, J.; Simon, W. Sexual conduct: The social sources of human sexuality: A 25th anniversay retrospective; Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA, 1999.
[44]
Jones, A.C.; Robinson, W.D.; Seedall, R.B. The role of sexual communication in couples’ sexual outcomes: A dyadic path analysis. J. Marital Fam. Ther., 2018, 44(4), 606-623.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12282] [PMID: 29044661]
[45]
Velten, J.; Margraf, J. Satisfaction guaranteed? How individual, partner, and relationship factors impact sexual satisfaction within partnerships. PLoS One, 2017, 12(2), e0172855.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172855] [PMID: 28231314]
[46]
Montesi, J.L.; Fauber, R.L.; Gordon, E.A.; Heimberg, R.G. The specific importance of communicating about sex to couples’ sexual and overall relationship satisfaction. J. Soc. Pers. Relat., 2011, 28(5), 591-609.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0265407510386833]
[47]
Salazar-Molina, A.; Klijn, T.P.; Delgado, J.B. Sexual satisfaction in couples in the male and female climacteric stage. Cad. Saude Publica, 2015, 31(2), 311-320.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00051214] [PMID: 25760165]
[48]
Pazmany, E.; Bergeron, S.; Verhaeghe, J.; Van Oudenhove, L.; Enzlin, P. Dyadic sexual communication in pre-menopausal women with self-reported dyspareunia and their partners: Associations with sexual function, sexual distress and dyadic adjustment. J. Sex. Med., 2015, 12(2), 516-528.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12787] [PMID: 25475508]
[49]
Zacchilli, TL The relationship between conflict and communication‚ sex‚ relationship satisfaction‚ and other relational variables in dating relationships. 2007. Available from:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=Melanoma&term=SiRNA&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=
[50]
Suhr D. Principal component analysis versus exploratory factor analysis. 30th Statistical Analysis System Users Group International. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2005.
[51]
Pakpour, A.H.; Griffiths, M.D.; Lin, C.Y. Assessing the psychological response to the COVID-19: A response to Bitan et al. “Fear of COVID-19 scale: Psychometric characteristics, reliability and validity in the Israeli population”. Psychiatry Res., 2020, 290, 113127.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113127] [PMID: 32502825]
[52]
Kline, P. The handbook of psychological testing, 2nd ed; Routledge: London, 2000.
[53]
Cohen, R.; Swerdlik, M. Test development. psychological testing and assessment; McGraw-Hill Higher Education: New York, NY, 2010.
[54]
Anderson, A.B.; Rosen, N.O.; Price, L.; Bergeron, S. Associations between penetration cognitions, genital pain, and sexual well-being in women with provoked vestibulodynia. J. Sex. Med., 2016, 13(3), 444-452.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2015.12.024] [PMID: 26853045]
[55]
Greene, K.; Faulkner, S.L. Gender, belief in the sexual double standard, and sexual talk in heterosexual dating relationships. Sex Roles, 2005, 53(3-4), 239-251.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-005-5682-6]
[56]
Rancourt, K.M.; Rosen, N.O.; Bergeron, S.; Nealis, L.J. Talking about sex when sex is painful: Dyadic sexual communication is associated with women’s pain, and couples’ sexual and psychological outcomes in provoked vestibulodynia. Arch. Sex. Behav., 2016, 45(8), 1933-1944.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0670-6] [PMID: 26739823]
[57]
Walker J, Almond P. Interpreting statistical findings: A guide for health professionals and students: A guide for health professionals and students. McGraw-hill education (UK), 2010.
[58]
Pazmany E, Bergeron S, Verhaeghe J, Van Oudenhove L, Enzlin P. Sexual communication, dyadic adjustment, and psychosexual well-being in premenopausal women with self-reported dyspareunia and their partners: A controlled study. J Sex Med., 2014, 11(7), 1786-1797.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12518] [PMID: 24690206]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
14
2
Wayfinder Image
© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy