Validation of the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale in Spanish Samples.

The aim of this study was to validate the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (SSSS; Kalichman, 2011) in Spanish samples. Two independent studies were conducted. In Study 1, we examined the factor structure of the SSSS in a sample of 1,272 heterosexual undergraduate students (40.0% men, 60.0% women). Results revealed a 2-factor structure. Factor 1 was related to physical sexual sensations and risky sexual behaviors and Factor 2 was related to exploratory or novel sex. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this factor structure in a sample of 373 community adults (33.8% men, 66.2% women). Two items were deleted, resulting in a final version composed of 8 items. This version showed good test-retest reliability and evidence of its concurrent validity. In Study 2, the factor structure was further confirmed in a sample of 1,596 university students (28.8% men, 71.2% women). More evidence of construct validity was provided, which revealed that higher levels of sexual sensation seeking were associated with more frequent sexual risk behaviors and poorer sexual health. Internal consistency reliability did not reach acceptable levels on all of the subscales. Results suggest that, although it has been used before, this scale needs a revision before its use in Spanish-speaking contexts.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales for Men.

The dual control model (DCM) postulates the involvement of relatively independent inhibitory and excitatory systems, which together provide a "double control" over sexual response and associated behavior (Janssen & Bancroft, 2007). Based on this model, the Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales assess the propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. This research focused on analyzing some psychometric properties of this questionnaire and developing a Spanish version in men. The sample consisted of 823 heterosexual men of ages ranging from 18 to 74 years. Confirmatory factor analysis generated a version of the scale that consisted of 34 items (11 items with the worst factor loadings were eliminated) distributed in four factors (one sexual excitation factor and three sexual inhibition factors). This is consistent with the DCM of sexual response. The four factors demonstrated good reliability coefficients except for sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance consequences, which was found to have a low internal consistency. Consequently, this is something that will be addressed in future studies. The four factors were found to have good test-retest reliability. The measures of the Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scales had good validity properties and a coherent relationship with sexual sensation seeking and erotophilia.

Escalas de Valoración de Excitación Sexual y Valoración de Sensaciones Genitales: propiedades psicométricas en muestras españolas / Ratings of sexual arousal and ratings of genital sensations: psychometric properties in spanish sample

Objetivo. La excitación sexual subjetiva es la percepción de excitación a nivel psicológico, siendo el Multiple Indicators of Subjective Sexual Arousal (MISSA) uno de los escasos instrumentos para evaluarla de manera situacional. El objetivo es adaptar a población española y examinar las propiedades psicométricas de dos de las escalas del MISSA: Valoración de Excitación Sexual (VES) y Valoración de Sensaciones Genitales (VSG). Material y método. Se emplearon dos muestras independientes formadas por jóvenes heterosexuales de 18-30 años de edad. En la primera muestra (n=122) se examinó la estructura factorial de la escala VES, la cual se puso a prueba en una segunda muestra (n=336) en la que se examinó la invarianza por sexo. Además, en esta segunda muestra se buscaron evidencias de validez de ambas escalas. Los participantes de ambos estudios (N=458) contestaron las escalas VES y VSG en una situación experimental de laboratorio en la que eran expuestos a films de contenido neutro y contenido sexual explícito. Resultados. La versión española de la escala VES presenta una estructura unidimensional con una adecuada fiabilidad de consistencia interna (α=0,90). Dicha estructura es invariante en cuanto al sexo, no encontrándose diferencias entre hombres y mujeres. Tanto las puntuaciones de la escala VES como de la VSG correlacionaron con la predisposición a excitarse y con la erotofilia. Conclusiones. Las escalas VES y VSG son fiables y válidas para evaluar la excitación sexual subjetiva ante estímulos sexuales, constituyendo instrumentos adecuados para su uso, tanto en el ámbito clínico como en el de la investigación (AU)

Objective. Subjective sexual arousal is the psychological perception of arousal. The Multiple Indicators of Subjective Sexual Arousal (MISSA) is one of the limited self-reported measures to evaluate it in a specific situation. The aim is to adapt and examine the psychometric properties of two scales from the MISSA: Ratings of Sexual Arousal (RSA) and Ratings of Genital Sensations (RGS) in a Spanish sample. Material and method. The measures were administered to two independent samples composed by heterosexual young individuals aged from 18 to 30 years old. In the first sample (n=122) the factorial structure of the RSA was examined, which was later confirmed in a second sample (n=336) where invariance analysis by sex and validity evidences were also analyzed. Both, the RSA and the RGS, together with other scales measuring similar constructs, were answered by participants from both studies (N=458) in a laboratory setting in which individuals were exposed to films with neutral content and explicit sexual content. Results. The Spanish version of the RSA shows a unidimensional structure with adequate reliability (α=.90). This structure showed to be invariant by sex, thus no significant differences were found between men and women. Scores from both, the RSA and the RGS correlated with higher predisposition to get excited and erotophilia. Conclusions. The RSA and RGS are reliable and valid measures to evaluate subjective sexual arousal towards sexual stimuli. Therefore, their use is suitable for both clinical and research areas (AU)

Spanish version of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women: Factorial structure, reliability and validity evidences.

Background/Objective: The Dual Control Model suggests that sexual excitation and associated behaviors are the result of the balance between relatively independent excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. Based on this theoretical model, the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) was developed to evaluate excitation and inhibition dimensions in women. The aim was to adapt and validate the SESII-W in the Spanish population. Method: A sample of 1,380 heterosexual women (aged 18 to 52) completed the Spanish SESII-W, together with other related instruments. After the translation and adaptation of the SESII-W, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed. Results: CFA resulted in a version consisting of 33 items divided into eight sub-factors, which were grouped into two higher-order factors (Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition). The sub-factors demonstrated adequate internal consistency values except for Sexual Power Dynamics and Concerns about Sexual Function. Test-retest reliabilities were good. Their scores correlated with erotophilia, sexual sensation seeking, age at first intercourse, and number of sexual partners in the expected direction. Conclusions: The Spanish version of SESII-W has adequate psychometric guarantees for use in clinical practice and research, although it would be necessary to further revise factors that showed a lower level of reliability.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: El Modelo de Control Dual plantea que la excitación sexual y conductas asociadas son resultado del balance de mecanismos de inhibición y excitación relativamente independientes. Basado en este modelo teórico, se desarrolló el Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W), que permite la evaluación de las dimensiones excitación/inhibición sexuales en mujeres. El objetivo fue adaptar y validar el SESII-W en población española. Método: Una muestra de 1.380 mujeres heterosexuales (edad 18-52 años) completó el SESII-W junto con otros cuestionarios afines. Después de la traducción y adaptación lingüística se realizó un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC). Resultados: El AFC dio lugar a una versión de 33 ítems organizados en ocho subfactores, agrupados en dos factores de orden superior (Excitación Sexual e Inhibición Sexual). Los subfactores muestran aceptables valores de consistencia interna a excepción de Dinámicas sexuales de poder y Preocupaciones por el funcionamiento sexual. La fiabilidad test-retest fue aceptable. Sus puntuaciones correlacionaron en la dirección esperada con erotofilia, búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales, edad de la primera relación sexual y número de parejas sexuales. Conclusiones: La versión española del SESII-W presenta adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para su uso en clínica e investigación, aunque las subescalas con menor fiabilidad deberían ser revisadas.

Excitación sexual: una revisión sobre su relación con las conductas sexuales de riesgo / Sexual arousal: a review of its relationship with sexual risk behaviors

Se plantea una revisión sistemática de las publicaciones que relacionan excitación sexual con conductas sexuales de riesgo. La búsqueda bibliográfica en Scopus, Web of Science Pub Medproporcionó 50 estudios. Los resultados fueron organizados en: (a) consumo de alcohol-drogas en encuentros sexuales; (b) uso de métodos anticonceptivos-barrera/riesgo de infección de transmisión sexual y embarazo no deseado; (c) sexo casual/número de parejas sexuales/sexo como profesión. El instrumento de evaluación de la excitación sexual más usado fue Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales. La excitación sexual se relacionó de forma positiva con consumo de alcohol y drogas en una situación sexual, con sexo casual, número de parejas sexuales y trabajar o pagar por sexo y, de forma negativa, con uso métodos anticonceptivos/barrera. Se considera la necesidad de incluir la excitación sexual como una variable relevante en los programas de prevención e intervención de conductas sexuales de riesgo y de educación sexual.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature about the association between sexual arousal and sexual risk behaviors. The literature search in Scopus, Web of science and pubMed provided 50 studies. The results were organized considering: (a) use of alcohol-drugs in sexual encounters; (b) use of contraceptive methods/ risk of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy; (c) casual sex/number of sex partners/sex workers. We observed that the self-reported measure more frequently used to assess sexual arousal was the sexual inhibition/sexual excitation scales. In addition, levels of sexual arousal has been positively associated with the use of alcohol and drugs in a sexual situation, casual sex, number of sexual partners and work or pay for sex, and negatively with using contraceptives methods. This review, highlights the need to include sexual arousal as a relevant variable in programmes for the prevention and intervention of sexual risk behaviors and sexual education.

Funcionamiento sexual en personas mayores: influencia de la edad y de factores psicosexuales / Sexual functioning in the elderly: Influence of age and psychosexual factors

Objetivo: Examinar la prevalencia de alteraciones del funcionamiento sexual de hombres y mujeres mayores, y analizar el efecto que la edad, la asertividad sexual, las actitudes sexuales y el abuso de pareja tienen sobre su funcionamiento sexual. Material y método: Cuatrocientas cinco personas (48,4% varones y 51,6% mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre 55 y 80 años, seleccionadas mediante un muestreo incidental, contestan a las versiones validadas en población española del MGH-SFQ, HISA, SOS, HISF e ISA. Resultados: El 39% de los varones y el 58% de las mujeres presentan algún tipo de dificultad en su funcionamiento sexual. En los hombres, la edad predice de forma negativa el funcionamiento sexual (β = −0,29), mientras que la asertividad sexual de inicio (β = 0,26) y la de rechazo-ausencia de timidez sexual (β = 0,17) lo hacen en sentido positivo. En las mujeres también se encuentra una relación negativa entre edad y funcionamiento sexual (β = −0,41); además, en su caso, la asertividad sexual de rechazo-ausencia de timidez (β = 0,17), las actitudes favorables hacia las fantasías sexuales (β = 0,26), el abuso de pareja no físico (β = −0,20), así como la interacción entre la edad y las actitudes hacia las fantasías sexuales (β = 0,21) predicen su funcionamiento sexual. Conclusiones: Las mujeres presentan mayor prevalencia de disfunciones sexuales, que no necesariamente van acompañadas de insatisfacción. La edad, la asertividad sexual, y las actitudes sexuales y el abuso psicológico en el caso de las mujeres son predictores del funcionamiento sexual en personas mayores (AU)

Objective: to examine the prevalence of changes in sexual functioning in both men and women older than 55 years. In addition, we analysed the effect of age, sexual assertiveness, sexual attitudes and partner violence on sexual functioning. Material and method: there were 405 individuals (48.4% men and 51.6% women) with ages ranging from 55 to 80 years old, selected by a non-probabilistic sampling, who answered the validated Spanish versions of the MGH-SFQ, HISA, SOS, HISF and ISA assessment tools. Results: some difficulties in sexual functioning were reported by 39% of men and 58% of women. In men, age negatively predicted sexual functioning (β=−.29), while initiation sexual assertiveness (β=.26) and no shyness/refusal (β=.17) positively predicted it. In women, age was also negatively associated with sexual functioning (β=−.41). In addition, no shyness/refusal (β=.17), positive attitude towards sexual fantasies (β=.26), no physical partner violence (β=−.20) and the interaction between age and positive attitudes towards sexual fantasies (β=.21) were predictors of sexual functioning. Conclusions: women show a greater prevalence of sexual dysfunction; however, such problems are not necessarily linked to sexual dissatisfaction. Age, sexual assertiveness and sexual attitudes, along with psychological abuse in the case of women, are predictors of sexual functioning in elderly people