Desenvolvimento de uma escala brasileira para avaliação da assertividade sexual

Abstract

Sexual assertiveness refers to the expression of desires and personal boundaries in sexual situations and is associated with important outcomes related to health, well-being, and relationship quality. Despite its relevance, there is a scarcity of instruments designed to assess this construct in Brazil. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to develop a scale to assess sexual assertiveness in the Brazilian population. The research was conducted across four studies. In Study 1, 57 items were developed based on a literature review and interviews with six adults. The items were subjected to semantic and content analysis by 14 judges, a pilot application with nine adults, and subsequent refinement supported by artificial intelligence. In Study 2, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) were conducted with a sample of 300 participants. In Study 3, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and reliability estimation were performed with a sample of 219 participants. The final version of the Assertiveness in Sexual Situations Scale (EASEX) comprised 30 items and three factors: refusal of unwanted sexual acts, prevention of sexual risks, and initiation and communication for sexual satisfaction. Factor loadings were of moderate to high magnitude, and reliability coefficients ranged from .64 to .85. In Study 4, evidence of convergent validity was examined using a sample of 594 participants. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that EASEX factors predicted sexual functioning, sexual self-esteem, sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction, perceived partner sexual satisfaction, perceived partner relationship satisfaction, general self-esteem, love, and conflict. Overall, the EASEX demonstrated evidence of content validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency, indicating that it is a promising instrument for assessing sexual assertiveness in the Brazilian population.