Validation of the Traumatic Sexualization Survey for use with heterosexual men

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to validate the traumatic sexualization survey (TSS) for use with heterosexual men. In study 1, an online sample of men completed the TSS and measures used to examine convergent and divergent validity. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that the TSS had a similar factor structure in men as previously found in women. The TSS demonstrated adequate reliability and validity with men. In study 2, male sexually transmitted disease clinic patients completed the TSS and a measure of child maltreatment. Men with a child sexual abuse (CSA) history reported higher levels of traumatic sexualization than men with a history of only physical abuse or no abuse, providing some preliminary evidence of construct validity. The TSS appears to be an adequate measure of maladaptive attitudes that have been conceptually linked to CSA impact in men.