Evidências de validade para a escala de vivências afetivas e sexuais da pessoa idosa - EVASI

Abstract

Sexuality in old age remains surrounded by taboos, prejudice, and silencing, often being neglected in family, social, and healthcare contexts. Recognizing the need for valid instruments that address the affective and sexual dimensions of the elderly, this study sought to gather additional validity evidence for the Scale of Affective and Sexual Experiences in the Elderly (EVASI). This is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study conducted with 150 older adults living in the Serra da Ibiapaba region, Ceará, Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the EVASI, the Life Satisfaction Scale (ESV), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were administered. Analyses performed using SPSS and R software included descriptive statistics, difference tests, correlations, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results demonstrated high reliability for the instruments, especially for the EVASI (α = 0.96 and Ω = 0.98). It was found that educational level significantly influenced affective and sexual experiences, with higher scores among older adults with higher education. Religion and gender showed little effect, while anxiety, depression, and stress were negatively correlated with life satisfaction and the experience of sexuality. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed satisfactory comparative indices (CFI and TLI above 0.98) but unsatisfactory residual indices (RMSEA = 0.225; SRMR = 0.117), suggesting the need for model refinement and item review. It is concluded that the EVASI shows preliminary evidence of validity and reliability but requires adjustments to consolidate its structure. This study contributes to expanding the literature on sexuality in old age, providing support for clinical practices and public policies that recognize affectivity and sexuality as central dimensions of the elderly’s quality of life.