An inventory for the measurement of female sexual arousability: the SAI

Abstract

This report describes the development of a self-report Sexual Arousability Inventory (SAI) for women. Sexual arousability was defined as the sum of a respondent's ratings of 28 erotic experience along a 7-point Likert arousal dimension. Multiple-regression and factor analyses were used to select valid items from a 131-item pool and build in factorial purity. The SAI has concurrent validity with respect to sexual experience, activity, and satisfaction, and discriminates between clinical and normal populations. In addition, the SAI is easy to administer and score, may be used with single, married, or lesbian women, is available with norms and in alternate forms, and possesses exceptional internal consistency. Although the SAI was designed primarily for clinical use, the construct it measures may have theoretical significance in future research.