Development and Validation of a Self-Sexualization Scale
2017-06
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Development and Validation of a Self-Sexualization Scale
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2017-06
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The purpose of the study was to develop a scale to measure self-sexualization. There was a need for a new scale development, due to the lack of consistency in defining and operationalizing the concept, issues of validity inherent in the existing scales, and shortcomings in measuring the possible dimensions underlying the concept. The study population was young adult women between 21 and 29 years old, living in the U.S, and who were familiar with the American culture. The concept of self-sexualization was defined based on the definition of sexualization by APA (2009): the four conditions of sexualization by APA were adapted to define self-sexualization. A mixed-methods research design with nine steps was used to gather validity evidence in the process of scale development. Three content experts evaluated the test blueprint which included the definition of self-sexualization. Based on the expert’s feedback on the test blueprint, a test specification and assessment items were developed. The assessment items were reviewed by three individuals who presented the study population before sending them to experts for review. Three experts reviewed the test specification and assessment items. Then, the revised items were reviewed by 10 individuals who represented the study population through interviews. Prior to moving into a qualitative method, a pre-test interview was conducted with four individuals. Internet based survey encompassing assessment items was pilot tested among the members of Amazon MTurk. From the field test, data from 601 participants were collected and was split randomly into two groups. With the first set of 301, a series of CTT, CFA, and IRT analyses were conducted to select items for the final scale. The structure of the final scale was verified using data from the remaining 300 participants. The four scales assessing the four dimensions of self-sexualization resulted and produced empirical evidence for the scales. The first scale comprised of six items assessed the degree to which a woman has favorable attitudes toward sexual objectification of herself. The second scale comprised of five items assessed the degree to which a woman relates her sexual desirability to her self-esteem. The third scale comprised of six items assessed the degree to which a woman equates her physical attractiveness with being sexy. The fourth scale comprised of nine items assessed the degree to which a woman contextualizes her sexual boundaries at bars, clubs, or parties. Suggestions on how to use the scale, limitations of the study, and avenues for future research were discussed
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University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. June 2017. Major: Design, Housing and Apparel. Advisor: Marilyn DeLong. 1 computer file (PDF); x, 254 pages.
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Choi , Dooyoung. (2017). Development and Validation of a Self-Sexualization Scale. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/206309.
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