Measuring problematic sexual behaviour: an item response theory examination of the Bergen–Yale sex addiction scale
Creators: name: Zarate, Daniel
name: Tran, Thong Thai Diep
name: Rehm, Imogen
name: Prokofieva, Maria
name: Stavropoulos, Vasileios
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Neuroscience
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy
subject: Mental Health

description: Previous research investigated the prevalence and risk factors of problematic sexual behaviour (PSB) using the Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS), among other instruments. However, a dearth of literature employed item response theory (IRT) to assess the BYSAS psychometric properties. The present study adopts an IRT framework to comprehensively examine the measurement aspects (including discrimination and severity) and the prevalence of PSB among a relatively large adult sample. Participants (<i>N</i> = 968, 64.3% men, M<sub>age</sub> = 29.5 years, age range = 18–64 years) completed the BYSAS. CFA determined that the BYSAS is a unidimensional construct. Additionally, IRT analysis showed variability in discrimination, severity, and reliability across BYSAS items, with a raw score exceeding 20, indicating a high risk of PSB. Accordingly, using this raw score 1.8% of the participants were at-risk of PSB. Findings supported the differential use of BYSAS criteria for assessment purposes, while only a minority of participants presented to be at risk of problematic sexual behaviour difficulties. <b>What is already known about this topic:</b>(1) Discrepancies have been observed concerning the definition of Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB).(2) Several scales have been used to assess PSB, including Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), its revised version (SAST–R), and the Bergen Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS).(3) The BYSAS has previously undergone various psychometric investigations employing Classical Test Theory (CTT); however, no studies assessed its properties via Item Response Theory. (1) Discrepancies have been observed concerning the definition of Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB). (2) Several scales have been used to assess PSB, including Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), its revised version (SAST–R), and the Bergen Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS). (3) The BYSAS has previously undergone various psychometric investigations employing Classical Test Theory (CTT); however, no studies assessed its properties via Item Response Theory. <b>What this topic adds:</b>(1) BYSAS’ items differed across their psychometric properties, suggesting a potential ranking of items’ responses in clinical assessment. Additionally, the scale’s reliability was relatively low for the high extremes of symptoms reported (e.g., 3 SDs above the mean).(2) The prevalence of diagnosable addictive/excessive sexual behaviors in the present sample was 1.8% of participants.(3) A cut-off point of 20 is suggested to identify PBS. (1) BYSAS’ items differed across their psychometric properties, suggesting a potential ranking of items’ responses in clinical assessment. Additionally, the scale’s reliability was relatively low for the high extremes of symptoms reported (e.g., 3 SDs above the mean). (2) The prevalence of diagnosable addictive/excessive sexual behaviors in the present sample was 1.8% of participants. (3) A cut-off point of 20 is suggested to identify PBS.