Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure (ABI-RSM)

Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure (ABI-RSM) Inventory

Description

The Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure (Ek, Holmström, & Elmerstig, 2023) is a comprehensive instrument designed to assess experiences related to sexuality following an acquired brain injury (ABI). It specifically explores individual and relational aspects of sexuality, as well as the information individuals received about sexuality during rehabilitation. This inventory was developed for a study involving individuals who had participated in brain injury rehabilitation between 2014 and 2016. The measure comprises 34 items, drawing upon previous research (e.g., Stolwyk et al., 2013) and interview studies with individuals with ABI (Ek, 2010) and their partners (Ek, 2011).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure is to identify and assess the unmet need for sexual rehabilitation among individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury. It aims to provide insights into the challenges and information gaps related to sexuality experienced by this population.

Validity

No data is Available.

Reliability

Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha for several constructs within the inventory:

• Cognitive functions: 0.859

• Sexual functions: 0.818 for males and 0.855 for females

• Importance of sexuality and intimacy: 0.779

• Partner’s acceptance and communication: 0.830

• Orgasm and satisfaction in sexual activity: 0.870

Factor Analysis

No data is Available.

Instrument

• Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire

• Format: The questionnaire is structured around four main themes: Background information, Functional ability, Sexuality after ABI, and Rehabilitation. The majority of questions offer fixed response alternatives. Some questions are multiple-choice, allowing for multiple responses. Two questions, focusing on the degree of acceptance and communication with a partner, utilize Likert scales ranging from 1 (not at all) to 6 (very high degree). Additionally, a few questions are open-ended, providing space for free-text answers.

• Language Available: English, Swedish

• Population Group: Human (Male, Female)

• Age Group: Adulthood (18 years and older)

• Population Details: The study sample consisted of participants who had undergone non-stroke ABI rehabilitation in Sweden.

• Test Methodology: The reliability of the instrument was assessed through internal consistency analysis.

Keywords

Acquired Brain Injury, Cognitive Functions, Importance of Sexuality and Intimacy, Information Needs, Intimacy, Needs Assessment, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, Orgasm and Satisfaction in Sexual Activity, Partner’s Acceptance and Communication, Psychosexual Behavior, Sexual Attitudes, Sexual Functions, Sexual Rehabilitation, Sexuality, Treatment Process and Outcome Measures, Health Information, Brain Injuries.

Authors

• Ek, Ann-Sofie:

  • Author ORCID Identifier: orcid.org/0000-0001-6446-6553

  • Affiliation: Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies

  • Email addresses: [email protected]

  • Correspondence Address: Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö, Sweden, 20506, [email protected]

• Holmström, Charlotta:

  • Affiliation: Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies

• Elmerstig, Eva:

  • Affiliation: Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

• Permissions: May use for Research/Teaching

• Fee: No

• Test Year: 2023

files

No data is Available.

References

Ek, A.-S., Holmström, C., & Elmerstig, E. (2023). Unmet need for sexual rehabilitation after acquired brain injury (ABI): A Cross-Sectional Study concerning sexual activity, sexual relationships, and sexual rehabilitation after ABI. Sexuality and Disability, 41(2), 387–410. doi:10.1007/s11195-023-09788-w. (Source Reference)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Items of the Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure Inventory

The Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure consists of 34 items, organized into the following subscales:

• Cognitive functions

• Sexual functions

• Importance of sexuality and intimacy

• Partner’s acceptance and communication

• Orgasm and satisfaction in sexual activity

Acquired Brain Injury-Related Sexuality Measure

Items

Information and Counseling on Sexuality Post-ABI

• Did you receive written information about sexuality after ABI?

• Did someone during rehabilitation ask you whether your sexuality was affected by ABI?

• When did someone within rehabilitation ask you if your sexuality was affected by ABI?

• Did you receive group information or attend a talk regarding sexuality after ABI?

• Were you offered individual counseling concerning sexuality after ABI?

• Were you and your partner offered couple-counseling concerning sexuality after ABI?

• Did you ask someone about sexuality after ABI?

  • When?

• Did you want to ask someone about sexuality after ABI?

• Do you feel that you are missing information about sexuality after ABI?

• What would you have wanted information about, concerning sexuality after ABI?

Adjustment and Experience of Sexuality Post-ABI

• Have you adjusted your sexual life due to ABI?

• What did you try out that worked well?

• What did you try that did not work well?

• Other?

Relationships and Social Impact

• Are you currently in a relationship?

• Were you in a relationship at the time of the injury?

• How do you experience that the following are affected after ABI:

  • My role among family and/or friends has changed after ABI.

  • Sometimes others do not notice that I have an ABI.

  • It is harder to have contact with others after ABI.

• Do you consider sexuality important in a relationship?

• Is sex important to you?

• Is physical intimacy important to you?

Sexual Activity Post-ABI

• When was the first time you had sex after ABI?

• How was sex after ABI resumed?

• How did you experience sex the first time after ABI?

• When was the last time you had sex with a partner?

• What do you think about sexual aids (for example dildos, vibrators, penis-rings, vacuum-pumps)?

• Sometimes I want to have sex, but I do not because…

• In the past, I sometimes have had sex with a partner even though I did not want to.

Partner Communication and Acceptance

• In the context of sexual activity, to what degree do you feel accepted by your partner?

• To what degree do you experience that you can communicate with your partner regarding sex and your situation?

• Do you experience appreciation from your partner regarding your situation in general?