Resum
The Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale (SSCS), developed by van
Lankveld, Geijen, and Sykora in 2008, measures self-consciousness
in sexual situations distinguishing dimensions of Sexual
Embarrassment and Sexual Self-Focus. To date, there is no Spanish
translation or validation of this scale for use with Spanish speakers.
Therefore, the goal of this study was to adapt and validate the SSCS
in a sample of 288 Ecuadorian women (18–55 years old). A
confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the data showed a good model
fit when a three-factor structure was considered: (i) Sexual
Embarrassment (items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5); (ii) Sexual Partner-Focus
(items 6, 7, 9, and 12); (iii) Sexual Self-Focus (items 8, 10, and 11). This
version includes a distinction between sexual self-focus and sexual
partner-focus (worries about the impression made on the partner).
Reliability was good, and validity supported this distinction. Greater
body-image dissatisfaction was positively associated with all SSCS
factors, and each factor was differently associated with sexual desire
(dyadic, general, and solitary) and with each phase of sexual
functioning (desire, excitation, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction).
Overall, Sexual Embarrassment had the greatest impact on sexual
functioning impairment. Implications for clinical interventions are
discussed.