Description

The Sexual Risk Survey (SRS-23) is a standardized psychometric instrument designed to assess sexual behaviors, practices, and decision-making patterns associated with an increased risk of adverse sexual health outcomes. The questionnaire provides a comprehensive evaluation of behaviors that may contribute to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and other health-related or psychosocial consequences of sexual activity.

The SRS-23 examines multiple dimensions of sexual risk-taking by assessing the frequency and context of sexual behaviors, condom and contraceptive use, number of sexual partners, engagement in casual sexual encounters, substance use before or during sexual activity, communication regarding sexual health, and other behaviors known to influence sexual risk. By integrating behavioral, cognitive, and situational factors, the questionnaire offers a multidimensional profile of sexual health practices rather than focusing on a single aspect of sexual behavior.

The instrument is widely used in public health, clinical psychology, sexual health research, epidemiology, behavioral medicine, university health services, adolescent medicine, and preventive healthcare. It serves as an important screening and research tool for identifying individuals or populations at increased sexual health risk, evaluating preventive interventions, monitoring behavioral changes over time, and supporting evidence-based sexual health promotion programs.

The SRS-23 is applicable to adolescents and adults across both clinical and community populations and has been extensively employed in studies investigating sexual decision-making, health behaviors, psychological determinants of risk-taking, and the effectiveness of educational and behavioral interventions aimed at promoting safer sexual practices.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis of data obtained from the Sexual Risk Survey (SRS-23) involves comprehensive psychometric and statistical procedures designed to evaluate patterns of sexual risk-taking and identify behavioral, psychological, and demographic factors associated with unsafe sexual practices. Individual responses are converted into quantitative scores that provide detailed information regarding the frequency, severity, and diversity of sexual risk behaviors.

Psychometric evaluation includes the assessment of internal consistency, typically measured using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, to determine the reliability of the questionnaire and its individual dimensions. Test–retest reliability is commonly examined to evaluate the temporal stability of responses, while exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are conducted to verify the theoretical structure and construct validity of the instrument.

Additional psychometric analyses include item-total correlations, composite reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and measurement invariance, ensuring that the questionnaire accurately measures sexual risk behaviors across different populations, age groups, genders, and cultural settings.

Statistical analyses frequently include descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, logistic regression, multiple regression models, mediation and moderation analyses, latent class analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), multilevel analyses, and longitudinal studies to investigate the relationships between sexual risk-taking and variables such as substance use, impulsivity, sensation seeking, psychological distress, relationship status, sexual attitudes, health literacy, self-efficacy, and sexual health outcomes.

The SRS-23 is extensively used in epidemiological research, university health programs, sexual health clinics, public health surveillance, intervention studies, and behavioral prevention programs. The results assist researchers and healthcare professionals in identifying high-risk populations, evaluating intervention effectiveness, developing targeted prevention strategies, and informing evidence-based sexual health policies.

Objective

The primary objective of the Sexual Risk Survey (SRS-23) is to provide a reliable, valid, and multidimensional assessment of sexual behaviors that may increase an individual’s risk of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and other adverse sexual health outcomes. The questionnaire enables researchers and healthcare professionals to identify patterns of sexual risk-taking and evaluate the factors that contribute to both risky and protective sexual behaviors.

The SRS-23 facilitates early identification of individuals who may benefit from sexual health education, behavioral counseling, preventive interventions, or further clinical assessment. It also supports the development and evaluation of evidence-based programs designed to promote safer sexual practices, improve decision-making, strengthen sexual health literacy, and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections.

The questionnaire is particularly valuable in public health research, behavioral medicine, university health services, adolescent health, psychology, epidemiology, and community prevention initiatives, where standardized assessment of sexual risk behaviors contributes to improved health outcomes and more effective prevention strategies.

Scoring

The Sexual Risk Survey (SRS-23) is typically administered using a Likert-type response format or frequency-based response categories, allowing participants to report the occurrence and frequency of various sexual behaviors over a specified reference period. Depending on the version of the instrument, responses may reflect behavioral frequency, degree of agreement, or the occurrence of specific risk-related activities.

Individual responses are summed or averaged to produce subscale scores representing different domains of sexual risk behavior, including condom use, number of sexual partners, casual sexual encounters, impulsive sexual behavior, and other behaviors associated with sexual health risk. These domain scores may also be combined to generate an overall Sexual Risk Score, providing a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s sexual risk profile.

Higher scores indicate greater engagement in behaviors associated with increased sexual health risk, whereas lower scores reflect safer sexual practices and lower overall behavioral risk. Interpretation of the results should consider demographic characteristics, cultural context, relationship status, and the specific reference period used by the questionnaire.

Comprehensive interpretation should be supported by psychometric evaluation, including Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, composite reliability, item-total correlations, construct validity, factor structure, and normative comparisons, ensuring accurate assessment across different populations and research settings.

References

Cooper, M. L. (2002). Alcohol Use and Risky Sexual Behavior Among College Students and Youth: Evaluating the Evidence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement, 14, 101–117.

Fielder, R. L., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Predictors and Consequences of Sexual “Hookups” Among College Students: A Short-Term Prospective Study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(5), 1105–1119.

Lewis, M. A., Granato, H., Blayney, J. A., Lostutter, T. W., & Kilmer, J. R. (2012). Predictors of Hooking Up Sexual Behaviors and Emotional Reactions Among U.S. College Students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41(5), 1219–1229.

Turchik, J. A., & Garske, J. P. (2009). Measurement of Sexual Risk Taking Among College Students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38(6), 936–948.

Weinhardt, L. S., Carey, M. P., Johnson, B. T., & Bickham, N. L. (1999). Effects of HIV Counseling and Testing on Sexual Risk Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review of Published Research, 1985–1997. American Journal of Public Health, 89(9), 1397–1405.