The Psychometric Properties of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory Using a Large-Scale Nonclinical Sample

Abstract

The conceptualization of hypersexuality has begun to converge as a result of proposed diagnostic criteria. However, its measurement is still diverse. The Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) is one of the most appropriate scales used to assess hypersexuality, but further examination is needed to test its psychometric properties among different clinical and nonclinical groups, including samples outside of the United States. The aim of the present study was to investigate the reliability and the generalizability of HBI and to determine a cutoff score on a large, diverse, online, nonclinical sample (N = 18,034 participants; females = 6132; 34.0%; M_age = 33.6 years, SD_age = 11.1). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability indices provided support for the structure of the HBI and demonstrated excellent reliability. Employing latent profile analysis (LPA), seven classes emerged, but they could not be reliably distinguished by objective sexuality-related characteristics. Moreover, it was not possible to determine an adequate cutoff score, most likely due to the low prevalence rate of hypersexuality in the population. HBI can be reliably used to measure the extent of hypersexual urges, fantasies, and behavior; however, objective indicators and a clinical interview are essential to claim that a given individual may exhibit features of problematic sexual behavior.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by grants from the Hungarian National Research, Development, and Innovation Office (PD106027, PD116686, FK 124225, K111938) and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Lendület Project LP2012-36). The third author (ITK) was supported by the ÚNKP-16-3 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities.