Italian validation of three measures about cognitive aspects of sexuality: sexual beliefs (SBDQ), modes (SMQ) and cognitive schema (QCSASC)
Despite the importance of cognitive aspects in psychological research, application of concepts like beliefs, modes, and schema to the domain of sexual dysfunctions has been studied only recently. Clinical observation and theoretical models emphasize the role of core cognitive structures on sexuality and identity processes, indicating a central role on the onset and maintenance of sexual dysfunction.
Due to the lack of Italian measures of sexuality cognitive aspects, the current project aims to translate and explore the validity of three measures in an Italian group of 800 men and women: Sexual Dysfunctional Belief Questionnaire, the Sexual Modes Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context. The questionnaires will be translated into Italian; validity and reliability will be evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Cronbach¿s alpha. Given the lack of empirical evidence on sexual beliefs, modes and cognitive schema role as vulnerability factors for sexual difficulties in Italy, we aim to test the possibility to differentiate between clinical and control men and women with the Italian versions of SDBQ, SMQ and QCSASC.
The use of that tools is recommended in both clinical and research field, to better understand the cognitive and cultural influence on sexual health and to deal with dysfunctional thoughts in therapy.