A development and validation of the Polish version of the Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire

Introduction: This study aimed to validate the Polish version of the Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire (SSBQ), which is designed to assess sexual behaviors that reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 576 Polish Tinder users aged from 18 to 42 years, who completed the Polish SSBQ, the Problematic Tinder Use Scale (PTUS), and sociodemographic questions. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted, resulting in a revised five-factor structure: Risky Behaviors, Sexual History, Condom Use, Sexual Awareness, and Avoidance of Anal Sex. Several items from the original SSBQ were removed due to declining relevance in the 21 st century. Results and discussion: The results highlight the need for further modifications of the tool to better capture behaviors linked to digital dating platforms like Tinder. While the factor structure was acceptable, the construct validity of the revised SSBQ was limited, indicating a need for further refinement. Conclusions: Future research should focus on validating the questionnaire across more diverse populations and integrating current behaviors associated with online dating and sexual health.