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A mixed-methods measurement study of female adolescent sexuality stress and support

ABSTRACT Sexuality-related social support from family and friends plays a central role in positive sexuality development among adolescent females. However, few research tools are available to practitioners, educators, or researchers to understand adolescent females' experiences of their sexual development. This mixed-methods study presents a novel quantitative measure of adolescent females’ sexuality-related stress and social support experiences, including the unique experiences among sexual minority females. In Study 1, qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 adolescent females to hear directly from them about experiences of support – or lack thereof – across several ecological contexts in their lives. Themes derived from these interviews then informed the item creation process for the present measure. In Study 2, input from field experts and female adolescent volunteers were used to create a 26-item quantitative measure: The Female Adolescent Sexuality Stress and Support (FASSS) Scale. Exploratory factor analyses indicated six subscales. Demonstrating strong reliability, and strong construct, content, face, and convergent validity, the FASSS offers a novel tool capturing the characteristics, qualities, and contexts of adolescent sexuality-related experiences. By evaluating social supports in multiple contexts, this tool allows researchers and practitioners to look more closely at how adolescent females experience both positive and negative aspects of their sexuality.