Development and Validation of the Postsex Experience (P-SES) Scale.

INTRODUCTION: There is little systematized research on the postsex phase of the sexual cycle, due in part to the absence of literature on the period immediately following sexual activity. AIM: The paper describes the development and validation of the Postsex Experience Scale (P-SES), an instrument designed to measure the psychological dimensions of the postsex period of the human sexual response cycle. METHODS: Scale development involved (a) item construction, selection, and subsequent validation through item analysis, and (b) a factor analysis of the item intercorrelations of the P-SES and the establishment of its factorial validity, based upon an online survey of 4,217 respondents. RESULTS: In the exploratory factor analysis of the psychometric structure of the scale, structures for males and females differed. 3 factors emerged, which captured the male postsex experience. These factors were labeled Sense of Sexual Alienation, Positive Connection with Self, and Feeling Connected with Partner. 4 factors best captured the female postsex experience and were labeled Self-Loathing, Positive Connection with Self, Sense of Being Emotionally Overwhelmed, and Feeling Connected with Partner. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: There is strong evidence for acknowledging a wide variation in postsex experience in both men and women across sexual orientations. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include a large heterogeneous sample leading to the provision of a metric to investigate novel aspects of human sexuality. Limitations include the potential underreporting of experiences due to the structure of the scale and its reference to "general experiences" and presentation bias. CONCLUSIONS: The P-SES provides a framework for assessing the postsex experience in women and men, providing opportunities to gain a better understanding of the variations in postsex experience. Schweitzer RD, du Plessis G, Maczkowiack J, et al. Development and Validation of the Post Sex Experience (P-SES) Scale. Sex Med 2021;9:100291.

Bifactor analysis of the mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF).

This report examined the factor structure of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) using bifactor analysis to evaluate a general well-being factor and the three group factors that correspond with emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Using a sample of 902 South African psychology students (M age=21.1 yr., SD=2.7), the MHC-SF was examined using confirmatory factor models, (1) a one-factor model conceptualizing well-being as unidimensional, (2) a correlated three-factor model corresponding with Keyes' model, and (3) a bifactor solution with a general well-being factor and three orthogonalized group factors. The bifactor solution fitted the best and evidenced a strong general well-being factor and three comparatively weak residualized group factors. These findings contribute to the literature by facilitating an examination of the strength of a general well-being factor as contrasted with the multidimensional components of emotional, social, and psychological well-being and advance a case for the interpretation of both the general and multidimensional components. The results inform considerations regarding the employ of the scale in statistical procedures such as multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling.