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The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS): cross-cultural adaptation and validation of psychometric properties within a Turkish population

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Women’s perceived satisfaction from their own genital appearance is linked to genital image and sexual esteem. A comprehensive and easy to use scale to measure self-image was scarce in the literature. It was aimed in the present study to complement cross-culturally adapted and validated into Turkish version of the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) and to assess its psychometric properties.

Methods

After cross-cultural adaptation, the Turkish version of the FGSI, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were administered to 461 female participants. Content/face validity, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and reliability were appropriately assessed. Predefined and specific hypotheses were formulated for construct validity.

Results

Our findings indicated excellent content/face validity, sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.818), and test–retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.951]. Construct validity was demonstrated by proving the hypothesis that participants who have performed at least one vaginal/clitoral masturbation for the last month reported significantly higher FGSIS scores compared with those who abstained (Z −6.37, p < 0.001). Factor analyses formed one factor structure. In the proposed two-factor construct, all seven items demonstrated good to high correlations with their subdomains and lower correlations with the other domain, indicating sufficient convergent validity.

Conclusions

The FGSIS was successfully validated for use in the Turkish population. The scale exhibited strong psychometric properties to assess perceived female genital image. It might be reliably used in genital cosmetic surgeries and in a variety of gynecologic conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duzce University Faculty of Medicine, Yorukler Mah., Konuralp yerleskesi, 81620, Merkez/Duzce, Turkey

    Aski Ellibes Kaya

  2. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Murat Yassa

  3. Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozan Dogan

  4. Duzce University Faculty of Medicine, Duzce, Turkey

    Alper Basbug

  5. Bayburt Goverment Hospital, Bayburt, Turkey

    Cigdem Pulatoglu

  6. Bahcesehir University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    Eray Caliskan

Authors
  1. Aski Ellibes Kaya
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  2. Murat Yassa
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  3. Ozan Dogan
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  4. Alper Basbug
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  5. Cigdem Pulatoglu
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  6. Eray Caliskan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aski Ellibes Kaya.

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We have read and understood the journal’s policies on copyright, ethics, etc., and believe that neither the manuscript nor the study violates any of these.

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Ellibes Kaya, A., Yassa, M., Dogan, O. et al. The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS): cross-cultural adaptation and validation of psychometric properties within a Turkish population. Int Urogynecol J 30, 89–99 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3688-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3688-1

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