Construct and Criterion Validity of the Postmenopause Sexuality Questionnaire – PMSQ

Abstract

Objective To assess the construct and criterion validity of the Postmenopause Sexuality Questionnaire (PMSQ). Methods The present methodological questionnaire validation study included postmenopausal women. The construct validity was tested by factor analysis and the criterion validity was performed using the correlation between the PMSQ and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The ROC curve was used to verify sensitivity, specificity and to determine the cutoff point of the PMSQ. Results A total of 181 women with a mean age of 56.4 ± 5.7 years old were evaluated. The exploratory factor analysis showed that the PMSQ presented Kaiser test = 0.88 and χ2 = 3293.7 (p < 0.001), commonalities ≥ 0.5, and extraction of 9 factors with eigenvalue ≥ 1; explaining 66.3% of the total variance. The PMSQ presented factor loadings between 0.4 and 0.8. A strong correlation between the 2 questionnaires (r = 0.79; p = 0.000) was shown. The cutoff point of the PMSQ was ≤ 55.5, assuming 87.9% sensitivity and 78.9% specificity (p < 0.001). Conclusion Since the PMSQ showed a strong correlation with the FSFI questionnaire, it presented good psychometric properties to assess the sexuality in postmenopausal women. Based on these results, the PMSQ could be widely tested as a specific instrument to examine the sexual function in postmenopausal women. Future studies, designed to examine the PMSQ instrument in different populations, are needed.

The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Postmenopause Sexuality Questionnaire

“…These results show that the scale is compatible within itself and that sufficient criterion validity is provided. In the original version study, the valid and reliable Portuguese version of the FSFI was used for criterion validity 18,19 …”

“…Considering these results, it was noted that similar answers were obtained by applying the scale to the same population in different time periods, an outcome that revealed its invariance with respect to time. Test–retest was performed in the original version of the scale, but ICC values were not calculated 18,19 …”

“…These results show that the internal consistency of the scale and its sub‐dimensions is at an acceptable level. When the α coefficients of the Turkish PMSQ and the original version were compared, the Turkish values were higher in all but one sub‐dimension (the quality of sexual life) and for the total score 18,19 …”

“…The PMSQ was developed in 2020 by Lima et al 18,19 . to evaluate sexual function in postmenopausal women.…”

“…The original version of the scale consisted of 43 items and the scoring system was made according to this number of items. However, with the revision of the original version, the number of items in the scale became 36 and the scoring system did not change 18 …”