Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales in Men: Psychometric Properties of a Polish Adaptation

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop a Polish version of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scale (SIS/SES-PL) and explore its psychometric validity in a sample of 498 men aged between 18 and 55 years. We used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to obtain the best model fit. Out of the 45 items in the original scale, 32 items with eight subscales and three higher-order factors: (sexual excitation [SES], sexual inhibition due to performance failure [SIS1], and sexual inhibition due to performance consequences [SIS2]) were included in the SIS/SES-PL. The SIS/SES-PL was found to have a good and satisfactory fit (comparative fit index = .87; Tucker–Lewis Index = .85; root mean square error of approximation = .054; χ2 = 1108.7; p < .001; test–retest reliability Cronbach’s alpha = .93). A small correlation between age and the SIS1 and SIS2 scores was detected. However, forward multiple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation only between age and SIS1 [β = .23, p < .001, R2 for model = .05; F(1, 494) = 27.52, p < .001]. Furthermore, a moderate correlation between SIS1 and SES2, as well as SIS1 and general inhibition properties (measured using the Behavioral Inhibition Scale), was noted. In the case of SIS2, only small effects were observed, with the highest values for engaging in risky sexual behavior. Out of the total number of 42 variables, a moderate correlation between SES and the following was described: importance of sex, hypersexual behaviors, frequency of masturbation, frequency of sexual activities per month, sexual risk-taking, high promiscuity (measured using the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory Revised-Drive), general activation properties (measured using the Behavioral Activation Scale), neuroticism, and erotophilic tendencies (measured using the Sexual Opinion Survey-Short Form). The results of the study allowed us to conclude that the SIS/SES-PL might be a useful tool for tailoring therapy for men with sexual problems, as well as in the field of clinical research on sexual inhibition and excitation. Furthermore, it is a reliable and useful tool for measuring propensities for sexual excitement and inhibition.

Linguistic validation of the Sex Fantasy Questionnaire into the Italian language

“…Adopting linguistic validation algorithms may be helpful, since they do not rely merely on linguistic translation but are rather based on a standardized set of processes to ensure both linguistic appropriateness and invariance of the original meaning, which provides a robust basis for further psychometric evaluations (Acquadro et al, 2004;Epstein et al, 2015). Thus, they are widely used in any scientific field, including human sexuality (Fakhri et al, 2012;Heinemann et al, 2001;Lorca et al, 2021;Malavige et al, 2013;Nowosielski et al, 2021;Peixoto et al, 2020;Pourmomeny et al, 2021;Rušavý et al, 2017). Therefore, due to the need to test the convergent validity of a new Italian measurement scale, a linguistic validation was conducted on the Wilson Sex Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ; Wilson, 1978Wilson, , 1988, which was selected for the compatibility between the two factorial structures and its wide utilization.…”

Validation of BIS/BAS, SIS/SES-SF and SOI-R Questionnaires in Two Czech Samples

“…Previous studies have shown the SIS/SES to satisfy criteria for establishing psychometric properties (Velten et al, 2018;Nowosielski et al, 2021;Graham et al, 2006;Bloemendaal & Laan, 2015). Application of the SIS/SES scale has also proven useful; evidence of high SES and SIS scores have been linked to sexual dysfunction and pathology Bancroft et al, 2009;Velten et al, 2018).…”

“…The universal nature of psychological mechanisms is often belied by socio-cultural, political, and linguistic manifestations. The SIS/SES has been translated and applied in several countries including Germany, Italy, Portugal and Poland (Velten et al, 2018;Panzeri et al, 2008;Gomes et al, 2018;Nowosielski et al, 2021). While the results are generally supportive, there are some differences in the comprehension of individual items and variation in the optimum factor structure.…”

Validation of the French-Canadian Version of the Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form (SIS/SES-SF): Associations With Sexual Functioning, Sociosexual Orientation, and Sexual Compulsivity

“…Hence, the DCM is gaining traction in the international scientific community, with translation and cultural adaptations of the SIS/SES being published in recent years. To date, the scales have been translated in Spanish, 20 German, 21 Portuguese, 12 Italian, 22 Finnish, 23 Polish, 24 and several South Asian languages. 25 For the most part, the three-factor structure has been replicated in these translations.…”

“…25 For the most part, the three-factor structure has been replicated in these translations. Yet, several of the published studies have dropped numerous items from the original version, 12,20,23,24 Using a more parsimonious version of the scale, such as the SIS/ SES-SF, could help to replicate its factorial structure across cultures and genders, thus enabling better comparison between studies and helping identify processes contributing to human sexual response.…”