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Psychometric Properties and Validity of a Multi-dimensional Risk Perception Scale Developed in the Context of a Microbicide Acceptability Study

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Abstract

Currently available risk perception scales tend to focus on risk behaviors and overall risk (vs partner-specific risk). While these types of assessments may be useful in clinical contexts, they may be inadequate for understanding the relationship between sexual risk and motivations to engage in safer sex or one’s willingness to use prevention products during a specific sexual encounter. We present the psychometric evaluation and validation of a scale that includes both general and specific dimensions of sexual risk perception. A one-time, audio computer-assisted self-interview was administered to 531 women aged 18–55 years. Items assessing sexual risk perceptions, both in general and in regards to a specific partner, were examined in the context of a larger study of willingness to use HIV/STD prevention products and preferences for specific product characteristics. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded two subscales: general perceived risk and partner-specific perceived risk. Validity analyses demonstrated that the two subscales were related to many sociodemographic and relationship factors. We suggest that this risk perception scale may be useful in research settings where the outcomes of interest are related to motivations to use HIV and STD prevention products and/or product acceptability. Further, we provide specific guidance on how this risk perception scale might be utilized to understand such motivations with one or more specific partners.

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Acknowledgments

The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) grant R01MH064455 funded this work. The authors thank the following people for their contributions: Hilda Castillo, Allison Cohn, Michelle Gomez, Alyssa Israel, Luz Lopez, Angela Martinez, Mayra Morales, C. Teal Pedlow, and Andronike Tsamas, research staff; Cynthia Woodsong, consultant; and Susan Cu-Uvin, Kenneth H. Mayer, and Patricia Symonds, co-investigators. They would also like to thank the women who participated in the study and all the community-based organizations that collaborated to facilitate recruitment efforts. Lawrence Severy is now Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida. Lawrence Shulman is now retired and occasionally provides consulting services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI, 02906, USA

    Sara E. Vargas, Joseph L. Fava, Rochelle K. Rosen & Kate Morrow Guthrie

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Sara E. Vargas & Kate Morrow Guthrie

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Lawrence Severy

  4. Department of Behavioral & Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA

    Rochelle K. Rosen

  5. The Fenway Institute, Fenway Community Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Liz Salomon

  6. Sociomedical Research Associates, Westport, CT, USA

    Lawrence Shulman

Authors
  1. Sara E. Vargas
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  2. Joseph L. Fava
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  3. Lawrence Severy
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  4. Rochelle K. Rosen
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  5. Liz Salomon
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  6. Lawrence Shulman
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  7. Kate Morrow Guthrie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sara E. Vargas.

Appendix

Appendix

Risk Perception Scale with Instructions and Suggestions for Use

The complete questionnaire used in this study was carefully designed using reviews of relevant literature, expert reviews, and cognitive interviews to determine item content and wording, response options, instructions and transition statements, and item and section order. In addition to the general and partner-specific risk items that we have developed and validated, we suggest, in the boxes below, items, and content that should precede risk assessment.

The two general items are summed to create a scale score with a possible range of 0–8, and the two partner-specific items are summed to create a scale score with a possible range of 0–8.

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Vargas, S.E., Fava, J.L., Severy, L. et al. Psychometric Properties and Validity of a Multi-dimensional Risk Perception Scale Developed in the Context of a Microbicide Acceptability Study. Arch Sex Behav 45, 415–428 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0619-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0619-9

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