A Psychometric Comparison of Three Scales and a Single-Item Measure to Assess Sexual Satisfaction

Abstract

This study was designed to systematically compare and contrast the psychometric properties of three scales developed to measure sexual satisfaction and a single-item measure of sexual satisfaction. The Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS), Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX), and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale–Short (NSSS-S) were compared to one another and to a single-item measure of sexual satisfaction. Conceptualization of the constructs, distribution of scores, internal consistency, convergent validity, test-retest reliability, and factor structure were compared between the measures. A total of 211 men and 214 women completed the scales and a measure of relationship satisfaction, with 33% (n = 139) of the sample reassessed two months later. All scales demonstrated appropriate distribution of scores and adequate internal consistency. The GMSEX, NSSS-S, and the single-item measure demonstrated convergent validity. Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by the ISS, GMSEX, and NSSS-S, but not the single-item measure. Taken together, the GMSEX received the strongest psychometric support in this sample for a unidimensional measure of sexual satisfaction and the NSSS-S received the strongest psychometric support in this sample for a bidimensional measure of sexual satisfaction.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the Patty Brisben Foundation for Women's Sexual Health for providing a research grant to conduct the larger study from which this manuscript was prepared.

Notes

Note. The Index of Sexual Satisfaction scale is coded such that higher scores are indicative of higher satisfaction. ISS = Index of Sexual Satisfaction; GMSEX = Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction; NSSS-S = New Sexual Satisfaction Scale–Short.

Note. The Index of Sexual Satisfaction scale is coded such that higher scores are indicative of higher satisfaction. ISS = Index of Sexual Satisfaction; GMSEX = Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction; NSSS-S = New Sexual Satisfaction Scale–Short.

Note. The Index of Sexual Satisfaction scale is coded such that higher scores are indicative of higher satisfaction. ISS = Index of Sexual Satisfaction; GMSEX = Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction; NSSS-S = New Sexual Satisfaction Scale–Short.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note. The Index of Sexual Satisfaction is coded such that higher scores are indicative of higher satisfaction. ISS = Index of Sexual Satisfaction; GMREL = General Measure of Relationship Satisfaction; GMSEX = Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction; NSSS-S = New Sexual Satisfaction Scale–Short.

Bonferonni adjustment required p < .02 for significance.

*p < .02. **p < .001.