Questionnaire for Turn-on Initiation Preference: Development and Initial Reliability and Validation

ABSTRACT

This article presents four studies conducted to develop and validate a self-report measure of sexual turn-on initiation preference – the Questionnaire for Turn-On Initiation Preference (QTIP). Sexual initiation is a vital stage of sexual activity and yet there are few prior measures of initiation. Moreover, previous measures have focused exclusively on the person initiating and none have addressed the turn-on preferences of the recipient of the initiation. The objective of this questionnaire is to understand how individuals prefer their partner to initiate sex that enhances erotic turn-on. This questionnaire was developed in four stages. Study 1 focused on item generation using qualitative data from 219 men and women. Study 2 tested the original items on 2,027 respondents assessing potential factor structure, followed by item revisions and additions. Study 3 (N = 5,812) assessed the revised 61 items on a larger sample and evaluated factor structure, and Study 4 (N = 1,848) tested the factor structure of the 66-item version, with an exploratory factor analysis, capturing a four-factor structure of turn-on preference: Emotional, Seductive-Exotic, Surrender, and Sensation. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit for the final short version of QTIP with 26 items, good test–retest reliability and convergent validity. Theoretical frameworks are discussed along with gender differences and clinical applications.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to Irving Binik, PhD for his encouraging wisdom and important theoretical contributions, helpful discussions and valuable feedback throughout this project.

Special thanks to Bozena Zdaniuk, PhD UBC Sexual Health Laboratory for her help in conducting the statistical analysis, including assistance in questionnaire redesign, and helpful suggestions on paper preparation.

I would also like to thank Pega Ren, DHS and Darien Thira PhD, for their tireless theoretical contributions, encouragement and assistance in item coding.