This study developed and validated two new questionnaires — the MSC-SP (Sexual Preferences) and MSC-SS (Safer Sex Communication) — to measure sexual communication across both content (what is communicated) and process (how it is communicated) dimensions, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in two online samples (N = 684).
Both the MSC-SP and MSC-SS showed strong internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and measurement invariance across multiple identity groups (e.g., gender, sexual orientation). A ceiling effect led to dropping a 'perceived importance' dimension, and the item pool was shortened from 26 to 12 items without meaningful loss of predictive utility.
- Both samples were online and likely not representative of the broader population. - The sexually diverse subgroup (n = 114) was underpowered for exploratory subgroup analyses. - The item reduction process removed nuanced topics (e.g., fantasies, turn-offs) that may be clinically relevant, based partly on model performance rather than content alone.
Clinicians assessing sexual communication in couples can now use the MSC-SP and MSC-SS as psychometrically sound tools that capture both *what* partners discuss and *how* they discuss it. These measures appear valid across diverse gender and sexual identity groups, making them broadly applicable in sexual health and couples therapy settings.
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