Table 1.

Item wording in Perceived Powerlessness and Need for Sexual Validation Scales

Perceived Powerlessness Scale
Factor 1: Present Perceived Powerlessness
pp1. Sometimes I feel that I am being pushed around in life
pp2. When I have a problem, I do not feel confident I can solve it
pp8. At school or work, I do not always speak up when I have something to say because I do not think anyone will listen to me
Factor 2: Future Perceived Powerlessness
pp7. I do not think that my education has prepared me to achieve a successful career
pp9. I do not think much about voting in the future because politicians are not interesting in helping to improve the situation of people like me
pp10. There is no point in trying to change things for the better because no one cares or wants to help
pp11. Working hard in school or on the job does not guarantee better opportunities later on
Factor 3: Financial Perceived Powerlessness
pp4. I worry about money because jobs for me or my family members are not easy to find or keep
pp6. Saving money is hard to do in my household because we already have a hard time paying the bills
Need for Sexual Validation Scale
nsv1. My friends respect me more when I am in a sexual relationship
nsv2. I feel better about myself when I am in a sexual relationship
nsv3. My friends encourage me to have sexual relationships
nsv4. My friends think something is wrong with me if I am not having sex regularly
nsv5. The more people I am having sex with, the better I feel about myself
nsv6. Having sex early in the relationship is a good way to keep the other person around
nsv7. My friends encourage me to find a sexual partner when we go to a club or bar
nsv8. I do not think positively about myself when I am not having sex regularly
nsv9. I sometimes feel envious of other people in sexual relationships when I am not in one
nsv10. I am a more complete person when I am in a sexual relationship
nsv11. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend makes me feel more valuable