Vicente Morell-Mengual

Sexual sensation seeking in Spanish young men and women with different sexual orientations.

This study analyzes the relation of sexual orientation and gender to sexual sensation seeking. Participants were 382 individuals (200 men, 182 women) between 17 and 29 years old who completed the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale. Of the 382 participants, 52.46% self-reported heterosexual orientation, and 47.64% self-reported homosexual orientation. The results showed differences with Sexual Sensation Seeking being more frequent among heterosexuals and men. There were no differences between heterosexual and homosexual men. Heterosexual women had higher sexual sensation seeking scores than did homosexual women. These results and their possible implications for the effective development of prevention and intervention programs in affective-sexual education are discussed.

Construction and Validation of a Self-Efficacy Scale for Latex Barrier Use

Some studies have concluded there is a relationship between perceived self-efficacy and behaviors that prevent HIV transmission. This paper presents the construction and validation of the latex barrier use self-efficacy scale (LBSS), which 480 participants filled out. Exploratory factor analysis yielded two components: positive expectations of self-efficacy (ES-POS) and negative expectations of self-efficacy (ES-NEG), which together accounted for 65.59% of total variance. That structure was later verified through confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was .80 for the total scale, and .78 for each of the two factors. Moreover, the instrument had adequate convergent validity and was positively related with condom use self-efficacy, attitudes toward condom and latex barrier use, and ability to refuse sex if the partner refuses to use preventive methods. In conclusion, this instrument is a useful measure of self-efficacy in latex barrier use.

Factorial Structure and Psychometric Properties of a Brief Scale of the Condom Use Self-Efficacy for Spanish-Speaking People

Background. Studies have shown the role played by perceived self-efficacy in explaining condom negotiation and condom use. Aims. The factorial structure and the psychometric properties of the Brief Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale are presented. Method. The study included 368 men and 456 women aged 17 to 55 years (Mage = 25.01, SD = 6.93). Results. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors: fear of rejection, impulse control, and condom acquisition and negotiation, which together accounted for 68% of the total variance. That structure was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha for the Brief Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale was .71. The scale provided adequate convergent validity, and positive correlations were observed between self-reported condom use and self-efficacy for use of other barrier methods. Discussion. This brief instrument could be a useful and appropriate measure to assess the types of condom use self-efficacy that occur at the different moments of a sexual relationship.

Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Short Internalized Homonegativity Scale (SIHS)

Internalized homophobia has been related to mental health problems and sexual risk behaviors among nonheterosexual people. This article validates the Spanish adaptation of the Short Internalized Homonegativity Scale (SIHS). For this purpose, 347 men and 183 women completed the instrument. Exploratory factorial analysis showed three factors: public identification as homosexual (PIH), sexual comfort with homosexual people (SEXC), and social comfort with homosexual people (SOCC). These factors explained 57.96% of total variance. In addition, confirmatory factorial analysis supported this structure and internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha) was.80 for the full scale. The three subscales ranged from.70 to.79. Convergent validity showed a positive correlation between the SIHS and depressive symptoms, and negative correlation with condom use, self-esteem, and having sex after alcohol consumption. In conclusion, the SIHS could be an accurate instrument to evaluate internalized homophobia among the Spanish population.

La influencia de la personalidad en la percepción de los cuidados sobre la salud de los jóvenes españoles

The main causes of mortality and morbidity among the population are related to lifestyle. This study analyzes the effects of personality in the perception of health self-care. 200 youth from Valencian Community (Spain) were assessed (Mage = 20.92, SD = 2.25). Revised NEO Personality Inventory and Health Self-care Scale were used. Young people care for their health averaged 62.83 points (SD = 12.19), out of a possible 110 points. Most of them care of driving, hygiene and sexuality. By contrast, they take less care of physical exercise, alcohol consumption and medical checkup. The analysis of correlations shows that young people with higher scores on Conscientiousness care most health areas evaluated. People with higher Neuroticism care less over the feeding, physical exercise, consumption of tobacco and other drugs. Extraversion correlates positively with careful diet and sexual habits. Openness to Experience is positively associated with careful diet and sun exposure habits. Finally, Agreeableness correlates positively with care over consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and driving. The regression analysis revealed that Agreeableness and Conscientiousness explained about 18.2 percent of the variance in the perception of health self-care. The individual characteristics of individuals, considered as active agents, are one of the most important for understanding the processes involved in the acquisition, maintenance or impairment of own health.