The Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ): preliminary evidence for reliability and validity

Schizophr Res. 2013 Nov;150(2-3):410-5. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.08.037. Epub 2013 Sep 21.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe the psychometric properties of the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ). Internal reliability, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, validity and sensitivity to change were calculated in a sample of 30 patients with schizophrenia or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder using antipsychotics. The ASFQ is a semistructured interview, with good face validity and content validity, that takes on average about 10min to complete. The ASFQ has good internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.84) and good test-retest reliability (mean Spearman's rho=.76). The inter-rater reliability is good for questions about libido, orgasm, erection and ejaculation. Correlation coefficients for calculating convergent validity were modest to good when comparing the ASFQ with the corresponding items on the Subject's Response to Antipsychotics (SRA) questionnaire and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). Based on preliminary evidence, it can be concluded that the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire has reasonable reliability and is available for clinical use and research.

Keywords: Antipsychotic; Psychometric properties; Questionnaire; Reliability; Sexual dysfunction; Validity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / chemically induced*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / diagnosis*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents