The Italian version of the Female Genital Self-Image Scale: psychometric properties and associations with sexual function and psychological health

Abstract

Background: Since its initial development, the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) has been translated into various languages, including Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Thai, Spanish, and Swedish, but no Italian translations are currently available. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the first Italian translation of the FGSIS, named FGSIS-It—including its factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity—and to explore its associations with female sexual function and psychological health. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design, and data were collected online using Qualtrics. A snowball sampling approach was employed, recruiting participants through social media and educational platforms. Participants were 432 individuals assigned female at birth, aged over 18 years, who completed all sections of the FGSIS-It. In addition to sociodemographic data, information was collected on sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index, and on psychological health using the Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Psychological General Wellbeing Index-Short. After examining the psychometric properties of the FGSIS-It through both Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, as well as Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω, and Pearson correlations, we investigated its associations with female sexual function and psychological health. Results: Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analyses supported a one-factor structure. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.811; McDonald’s ω = 0.823). Significant positive correlations, ranging from weak to moderate, were found between female genital self-image and both female sexual function and psychological health. A poorer female genital self-image was observed in individuals aged < 45 years who reported a risk of sexual dysfunction, compared to those without such risk, based on the FSFI total score. Conclusion: The FGSIS-It is a reliable instrument for assessing female genital self-image among Italian individuals assigned female at birth, drawn from the general population.