Description

The Sexual History and Adjustment Questionnaire (SHAAQ) is an assessment instrument used to examine an individual’s sexual history, sexual experiences, behaviors, and adjustment to their sexual life. It is intended to provide a broad picture of sexual experiences, behaviors, and adaptation in relation to sexuality.

The questionnaire may help explore how past and current sexual experiences relate to sexual satisfaction, psychological functioning, and overall sexual well-being.

Aim

The primary aim of the SHAAQ is to assess an individual’s sexual history and level of adjustment to their sexual life. It also seeks to improve understanding of the factors that influence sexual well-being and to support the development of therapeutic strategies intended to enhance sexual health and satisfaction.

Main Areas of Assessment

According to the available source, the SHAAQ examines four main areas:

Sexual History: records previous sexual experiences and relationships.

Sexual Adjustment: assesses the individual’s ability to adapt to and feel satisfied with their sexual life.

Emotional and Psychological Health: explores how sexual history and current sexual circumstances may affect psychological and emotional well-being.

Sexual Satisfaction: evaluates overall satisfaction with sexual life and perceptions of sexual relationships.

Scoring

According to the available file, the SHAAQ is typically scored using a 5-point Likert-type scale, on which participants rate statements concerning sexual history, adjustment, and satisfaction.

Responses range from:

1 = Very low / Rarely
to
5 = Very high / Frequently.

The total score may be calculated by summing or averaging the individual item scores. The source states that higher scores indicate better adjustment and greater sexual satisfaction.

The available material does not specify the total number of items, the presence of reverse-scored items, or any established cut-off scores. Therefore, formal scoring should follow the instructions of the specific version being used.

Data Analysis and Use

SHAAQ data analysis focuses on the relationships among sexual history, sexual adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and psychological or emotional well-being.

Depending on the research design, possible approaches may include:

Descriptive Statistics: to summarize score distributions and key characteristics of the sample.

Correlational Analysis: to examine relationships between sexual adjustment, satisfaction, and psychological variables.

Comparative Analysis: to investigate differences across demographic, social, or clinical groups.

Regression or Multivariate Analysis: to explore factors associated with sexual adjustment or satisfaction.

Psychometric Evaluation

Psychometric evaluation of the SHAAQ may include:

Internal Consistency: examination of the coherence of items and any potential subscales.

Test-Retest Reliability: assessment of the stability of scores over time.

Construct Validity: examination of whether the instrument reflects the theoretical dimensions of sexual adjustment.

Convergent and Discriminant Validity: investigation of relationships with other measures of sexual functioning, satisfaction, or psychological well-being.

The available file does not provide specific numerical reliability or validity coefficients.

Applications

The SHAAQ may be used in sexual health research, psychosexual research, clinical psychology, and counseling.

It may help investigate factors influencing sexual adjustment and satisfaction and may also support assessment before and after counseling or therapeutic interventions.

According to the available material, findings may contribute to the development of intervention and treatment strategies aimed at improving sexual health and well-being.

References

Leiblum, S. R., & Rosen, R. C. (1988). Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy: Update for the 1990s. Guilford Press.

Kaplan, H. S. (1979). Disorders of Sexual Desire and Other New Concepts and Techniques in Sex Therapy. Brunner/Mazel.

Rosen, R. C., & Leiblum, S. R. (1995). The role of psychosexual therapy in the management of sexual dysfunction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 21(1), 67–75.

Bancroft, J. (2009). Sexual Behavior and Its Disorders. Cambridge University Press.