Yale University

Factor structure of Leigh's (1990) alcohol sex expectancies scale in individuals in treatment for HIV disease.

TitleFactor structure of Leigh's (1990) alcohol sex expectancies scale in individuals in treatment for HIV disease.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsMaisto, Stephen A., Kathleen McGinnis, Robert Cook, Joseph Conigliaro, Kendall Bryant, and Amy C. Justice
JournalAIDS and behavior
Volume14
Issue1
Pagination174-80
Date Published2010 Feb
ISSN1573-3254
KeywordsAlcohol Drinking, Ethnic Groups, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Follow-Up Studies, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Questionnaires, Reproducibility of Results, Risk Factors, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to validate the use of Leigh's (1990) alcohol sex expectancies scale among HIV-infected individuals presenting for treatment as a way to facilitate research on sexual risk reduction among individuals in that population. The participants were 944 men who presented for treatment at infectious disease or general medicine clinics across 8 different VA Medical Center sites. A total of 534 of these men were HIV-positive and 410 were HIV-negative. The total sample was randomly divided in half within each HIV group to form exploratory (Sample 1) and confirmatory (Sample 2) subsamples. A principal components factor analysis with oblique rotation of the original 13-item Leigh scale within each HIV group in Sample 1 revealed a 2-factor (7 and 4 items, respectively) solution that was consistent across both HIV groups. These factors were named "More Open to Sexual Pleasure" (Factor 1) and "Reduced Inhibitions about Sex (Factor 2)." A confirmatory factor analysis of the 11-item, 2-factor solution on the full Sample 2 showed a modest fit to the data, excellent internal consistency reliability of both factors, a high correlation between the factors, and strong evidence for construct validity. These results were interpreted as supporting the use of the 11-item, 2-factor version of Leigh's scale in studies of clinical samples of HIV-positive adults, and directions for research on further scale refinement are discussed.
DOI10.1007/s10461-008-9457-2
Alternate JournalAIDS Behav

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