Development and psychometric validation of Condom Sabotage Victimisation Scale (CSVS-5): Preliminary findings

BACKGROUND: Condom use effectively prevents sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies, and reduces psychological distress associated with concerns about the consequences of sexual activity. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to develop and conduct an initial psychometric evaluation of the Condom Sabotage Victimisation Scale (CSVS-5), a measure designed to capture non-consensual and coercive experiences in which individuals are persuaded or forced to engage in sexual intercourse without condom use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We developed an eight-item preliminary scale based on a literature review of condom use resistance (CUR) tactics. Data were collected in Poland in May 2025 as part of the POLARES project. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Of 1,265 respondents, 767 adults who had been sexually active in the past 12 months met the inclusion criteria. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on a test subsample, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a verification subsample. RESULTS: Analyses supported a single-factor model of the CSVS-5, comprising five items with statistically significant standardised regression weights (p < 0.001; CFA loadings 0.598-0.962). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.900). The total score ranges from 0 to 15, with higher values indicating greater victimisation. The mean score for the total sample was 0.45 (SD = 1.86), with means of 0.38 (SD = 1.79) for women and 0.61 (SD = 1.99) for men (p = 0.003). Gender differences unfavourable to women were observed among individuals not in a stable relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The Condom Sabotage Victimisation Scale (CSVS-5) is a five-item instrument with robust psychometric properties. Its brevity renders it particularly suitable for use in multifaceted observational epidemiological studies, as well as in intervention research focused on STI/HIV prevention and sexual violence.