The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women: Psychometric Properties

Abstract

This article reports on the development of a new questionnaire designed to assess the propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in women: The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W). The theoretical model underlying this research, the Dual Control Model, postulates that sexual response depends on a balance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms and that individuals vary in their propensity for excitation and inhibition. This study describes the development and initial validation of the SESII-W in a sample of 655 women (M age, 33.9 yrs). Factor analysis identified eight factors and two higher-order factors, one related to sexual excitation and one to sexual inhibition. The measure demonstrated good test-retest reliability and discriminant and convergent validity. Our data underscore that a number of factors affect women"s sexual arousal and these appear to be related to opposing processes of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Theoretical issues, possible gender differences, and the value of using qualitative data to inform questionnaire development are discussed.

Validation of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women and Men

“…The factor structure in the current analysis was very similar to the SESII-W validation structure , although the samples were very different (females and males in the current sample vs. only females in the Graham et al (2006) study; age range from 18 to 36 in the current sample vs. age range from 18 to 81 in the Graham et al (2006) study). Nineteen of the 30 items in the SESII-W/M factor solution were also found in the SESII-W.…”

“…A brief description of each measure and how it related to the factor scales in the Graham et al (2006) study is included below. For more detailed information about these measures, see Graham et al (2006).…”

“…A brief description of each measure and how it related to the factor scales in the Graham et al (2006) study is included below. For more detailed information about these measures, see Graham et al (2006). Carver & White, 1994) This questionnaire measures two principal factors reflecting general behavioral inhibition and activation propensities: BIS (Behavioral Inhibition Scale, 7 items) and BAS (Behavioral Activation Scale).…”

“…In response to these potential limitations of the SIS/SES measure for use with women, Graham, Sanders, and Milhausen (2006) developed a questionnaire grounded in women's experiences of factors affecting their sexual arousal, with items derived from a focus group study 5 (Graham et al, 2004). Items reflected the wide range of factors which women indicated could impact their arousal at any given time, including: level of self-confidence; body image; mood or emotional state; physical condition (e.g., energy level, illness); partner characteristics (e.g., attractiveness, personality, intellect, and talent); relationship dynamics; elements of the sexual interaction (e.g., partner skill, setting); sexual or erotic stimuli; hormones; fertility, contraception and STD concerns; and alcohol and drug use.…”

“…The number of items was reduced using factor analysis and the measure was validated with a sample of 665 women. The resulting 36-item questionnaire, the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W; Graham et al, 2006) consists of eight subscales. These were: Sexual Arousability (the tendency to become easily sexually aroused in a variety of situations); Partner Characteristics (the tendency for a partner's personality or behavior to impact on arousal); Sexual Power Dynamics (the tendency to be aroused by force or domination in a sexual situation); Smell (the tendency for olfactory cues to influence arousal); Setting (Unusual or Unconcealed) (the tendency for arousal to be enhanced by the possibility of being seen or heard while having sex); Concerns about Sexual Function (the propensity for worries about sexual functioning to influence arousal); Arousal Contingency (the potential for arousal to be easily inhibited or disrupted by situational factors); and Relationship Importance (reflecting the need for sex to occur within a specific type of relationship).…”