SEXUAL ASSERTIVENESS SCALE (SAS) FOR WOMEN - DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION

Four studies were conducted to develop and validate the Sexual Asserti veness Scale (SAS), a measure of sexual assertiveness in women that co nsists of factors measuring initiation, refusal, and pregnancy-sexuall y transmitted disease prevention assertiveness. A total of 1,613 women from both university and community populations were studied. Confirma tory factor analyses demonstrated that the 3 factors remained stable a cross samples of university and community women. A structural model wa s tested in 2 samples, indicating that sexual experience, anticipated negative partner response, and self-efficacy are consistent predictors of sexual assertiveness. Sexual assertiveness was found to be somewha t related to relationship satisfaction, power, and length. The communi ty sample was retested after 6 months and 1 year to establish test-ret est reliability. The SAS provides a reliable instrument for assessing and understanding women's sexual assertiveness.