A psychometric comparison of three scales and a single-item measure to assess sexual satisfaction

Kristen P. Mark, Debby Herbenick, J. Dennis Fortenberry, Stephanie Sanders, Michael Reece

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

177 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-169
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Sex Research
Volume51
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A psychometric comparison of three scales and a single-item measure to assess sexual satisfaction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this