Sexual Risk Behavior Beliefs and Self-Efficacy Scales (SRBBS)
Measures key psychosocial variables (attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and barriers) affecting sexual risk-taking and protective behaviors in adolescents.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Sexual Risk Behavior Beliefs and Self-Efficacy Scales (SRBBS) was developed by Karen Basen-Engquist, Louise C. Mâsse, Karin Coyle, Douglas Kirby, Guy Parcel, Stephen Banspach, Jesse Nodora (1996). It is designed to measure Sexual Risk Behavior Beliefs and Self-Efficacy. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents (high school students aged 14 to 18).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 22 items organized into 8 factors/subscales: Attitudes about sexual intercourse, Attitudes about condom use, Norms about sexual intercourse, Norms about condom use, Self-efficacy for refusing sexual intercourse, Self-efficacy for communicating about condom use, Self-efficacy for buying and using condoms, Barriers to condom use.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Attitudes about sexual intercourse | 1,2 | 2 |
| Attitudes about condom use | 3,4,5 | 3 |
| Norms about sexual intercourse | 6,7 | 2 |
| Norms about condom use | 8,9,10 | 3 |
| Self-efficacy for refusing sexual intercourse | 11,12,13 | 3 |
| Self-efficacy for communicating about condom use | 14,15,16 | 3 |
| Self-efficacy for buying and using condoms | 17,18,19 | 3 |
| Barriers to condom use | 20,21,22 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: Attitude/Norm Items: 4 = Definitely Yes, Attitude/Norm Items: 3 = Probably Yes, Attitude/Norm Items: 2 = Probably No, Attitude/Norm Items: 1 = Definitely No, Self-Efficacy Items: 1 = Not Sure at All, Self-Efficacy Items: 2 = Kind of Sure, Self-Efficacy Items: 3 = Totally Sure, Barrier Items: 4 = I Strongly Agree, Barrier Items: 3 = I Kind of Agree, Barrier Items: 2 = I Kind of Disagree, Barrier Items: 1 = I Strongly Disagree.
The scale includes 2 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 1 to 4. Interpretation guidelines:
- Attitudes, Norms, and Barriers Subscale Score Range (Average score of items in subscale): 1 – 4
- Self-Efficacy Subscale Score Range (Average score of items in subscale): 1 – 3
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alphas: ASI (.78), NSI (.78), SER (.70), ACU (.87), NCU (.84), SECM (.66), SECU (.61), BCU (.73).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.