Introduction:

the lack of instruments to assess attitudes toward early sexual relationships in late adolescents and young adultslimits preventive interventions in sexual health.

Objective:

to design and validate the Early Sexual Relationships Attitudes Scale (E-ARST).

Methodology:

this is an instrument development and validation study, in which 995 adolescents and young adults aged 18 to 24 years (M = 20,43; 50 % male) participated, selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling in the three regions of Peru. For the construction of the test, the 10 stages recommended by psychometric experts were taken into account, resulting in an initial version of 60 items. Statistical analysis included Aiken's V coefficient, network analysis (EGA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency analysis, and measurement invariance.

Results:

according to expert judgment, 20 items proved to be clear, relevant, and representative. The EGA analysis suggested removing 4 items. Subsequently, the EFA (KMO = 0,953, Bartlett's: X²(120) = 2220,1; p = 0,000) revealed a unidimensional structure (63,81 % of total variance), and the CFA validated a final structure of 10 items, with adequate reliability (CFI = 0,985; TLI = 0,981; RMSEA = 0,118; SRMR = 0,027; ω = 0,957). Finally, the scale proved to be invariant by sex, age, region, and relationship status.

Conclusion:

the E-ARST is the first validated scale to measure attitudes toward early sexual relationships in Peruvian adolescents and young adults aged 18 to 24 years, facilitating research for prevention and the promotion of reproductive health policies.

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