Validation of the Spanish Sexual Risk Behaviour Scale among adolescents, youth, and future health and educational professionals

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to adapt and validate the Sexual Risk Behaviour Scale (SRBS) for Spanish-speaking adolescents, young adults and future health and educational professionals. The research sought to assess the scale's psychometric properties. To establish known-groups validity, differences across age, professional, and sociodemographic groups were analysed. METHODS: The SRBS, a 6-item scale with 5 response options, was validated by psychologists and healthcare professionals in collaboration with educational institutions, targeting secondary school and university students in health and education fields. A total of 478 students aged 13 to 48 aged (M = 19.26, SD = 6.13) participated. Of the participants, 327 identified as women, 148 as men, 20 as gay, 392 as heterosexual, 54 as bisexual, 9 as asexual, and 3 indicated another gender and sexual orientation. Among the adults, 275 were single, 11 married, 2 divorced and 1 widowed. Evidence based on internal structure was gathered through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the scale scores. Sociodemographic factors, including gender, age, education level, marital status, and use of dating apps, along with six standardized sexuality scales, were examined to assess the known-groups validity of the Spanish SRBS scores. RESULTS: The scores of the Spanish SRBS yielded evidence of acceptable reliability (α = 0.78) and an average score of 10.08 (SD = 4.52, Min = 6, Max = 24). Factor analyses confirmed its unifactorial structure. The findings of the Spanish SRBS scores revealed significant patterns of risky behaviours influenced by developmental and social factors, such as gender, age, education, and attitudes toward safe practices. Furthermore, sexual risk behaviours (SRBS) were linked to social media (ARS), pornography consumption (PPC-6) and attitudes supportive of rape (RAPE). CONCLUSION: The Spanish SRBS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing sexual risk behaviours among adolescents and young adults. The findings offer valuable insights for clinicians, educators, and researchers working to evaluate safer sexual practices addressing public health challenges.