Description

The Worry About Sexual Outcomes Scale (WASOS) is a psychometric tool designed to assess individuals’ concerns regarding their sexual experiences and the possible consequences of these. The questionnaire examines thoughts and emotions related to worries about sexual outcomes, such as performance, relationships, and health. Below is a detailed description of the scale’s objectives, analysis, and scoring, along with relevant literature.

Objective

The main objectives of the Worry About Sexual Outcomes Scale are:
Assessment of sexual performance worries: Recording concerns related to performance during sexual activity.
Understanding relationship-related worries: Exploring fears about the consequences of sexual experiences on personal relationships.
Health concerns: Examining worries related to sexual health, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.

Analysis

The WASOS includes multiple questions that cover different aspects of worry about sexual outcomes. The questions focus on:
Sexual performance: Concerns about achieving and maintaining arousal, orgasm, and overall partner satisfaction.
Relationships: Fears about how sexual activities may affect the quality and duration of relationships.
Health: Perceptions and concerns about health risks associated with sexual activity.
Participants rate the statements on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “never” to “always,” to describe the frequency and intensity of their worries.

Scoring

Scoring of the WASOS includes:
Total score: A general assessment of the level of worry about sexual outcomes.
Subscales: Scores for different sections of the questionnaire, such as performance, relationships, and health.
These scores provide information on how much worries influence sexual experiences and individuals’ overall well-being.

References

Dewitte, M., & Schepers, J. (2009). Understanding Sexual Concerns and Worries: A Study of Predictors and Outcomes. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6(4), 1035–1049.
Mitchell, K. R., Mercer, C. H., Ploubidis, G. B., Jones, K. G., & Johnson, A. M. (2013). Sexual Function in Britain: Findings from the Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3). The Lancet, 382(9907), 1817–1829.
García, F. D., Delavenne, H., Bertrand, M., & Pham-Scottez, A. (2012). Sexual Addictions and Paraphilias: Assessment and Treatment. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(3), 194–202.