Psychometric Examination of Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire

Aim and Background: The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) in a sample population of Iranian patients. Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive-correlational study with a population of patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis from North Khorasan provinces, Iran. A number of 92 patients (46 women and 36 men) were chosen as the sample population. Patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of North Khorasan during two months were selected using convenience sampling method, and completed the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-15 (MSISQ-15), Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19), and Sexual Partner Intimacy Scale. The collected data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, split-half method, Pearson correlation, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Findings: The analysis of the main factors with a promax rotation and a variance of 70.55 supported 3 factors of the main ones. The positive correlation between sub-scales of MSISQ-15 and MSISQ-19 was indicative of convergent validity. Of the other hands, the negative correlation pattern in the MSISQ-15 dimensions with the Sexual Partner Intimacy Scale was indicative of divergence validity. Finally, the Cronbach’s Alpha with a range of 0.88-0.89 for the MSISQ-15 dimensions, and the 0.92 quotient for the entire scale indicated the positive reliability of the questionnaire. Conclusions: The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) enjoyed an appropriate reliability and validity in with multiple sclerosis from North Khorasan provinces in Iran.