| Past research on first sexual intercourse experiences and virginity has largely focused on using demographics such as age at first intercourse as predictors of future sexual behaviours and beliefs. Carpenter (2002, 2005) suggested a model of three virginity metaphors (gift, stigma and process) which describe how individuals perceive of their virginity. Using Carpenter's (2002, 2005) framework as a starting point, scale items were developed based on the conceptual understanding of the three metaphors. In Study 1, 50 items developed as markers for each of the three frames, were subjected to factor analysis, in the end yielding 22 items found to be strong indicators of the three metaphors; ten items for gift, eight for stigma and four for process. The three sub-scales were validated using related concepts, such as gender role beliefs and affective reactions to first intercourse. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the 22 item factor breakdown. The resulting Virginity Beliefs Scale is discussed in terms of how it applies to Carpenter's (2002, 2005) original theory and also in terms of the new practical and research opportunities it presents.;KEYWORDS: virginity, first sexual experiences, first sexual intercourse, scale development, sexuality... |
