Development and use of self-report techniques for assessing sexual functioning: a review and critique

Abstract

This is a review and chronological perspective on the development of self-report measures designed to describe an individual's sexual functioning. It includes scales that provide data on both heterosexual and homosexual behavior. Attitude scales are also included, but only those that reflect an individual's attitudes toward his own or his partner's behavior. Two classes of self-report measures are evaluated: (1) unidimensional scales that are relatively short and restricted in the information they supply; and (2) multidimensional inventories or questionnaires that elicit a wider variety of information. Available psychometric data are provided, and the measures are critically examined from both a research and a clinical point of view. It was concluded that unidimensional scales are probably more useful for research settings, while multidimensional inventories appear to have greater potential in clinical settings. All the test instruments reviewed would benefit from refinements, and recommendations are made that additional validity studies be conducted and more normative data be provided.