Validity and reliability of the Geriatric Sexuality Inventory

Effective health care for older adults requires that providers assess and manage sexual health needs with high priority. This assessment begins with an effective sexuality assessment tool. A two-step, research approach was undertaken to develop and test the Geriatric Sexuality Inventory (GSI). Literature and expert review resulted in a 34-item instrument that was initially completed by 34 older adults ages 60 to 91 (mean age = 75). The testing was repeated in 19 of the original participants. The sample was 75% women, and 88% Caucasian with 9% single, 27% married, 18% divorced, and 46% widowed participants. Internal consistency reliability was run on all 53 responses and revealed adequate reliability (alpha = 0.74). Test-retest analysis also revealed good initial instrument reliability (r = 0.78; p < 0.001). Responses to open-ended questions regarding sexual information and care needs supported evidence gathered from the literature. Initial testing of the GSI revealed content validity and good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.