Validation of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales with Sexual Arousal Measures in Men

Objective. To provide validity evidence for the Spanish version of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales(SIS/SES) by examining the associations between its dimensions and self-reported and laboratory-based measuresof sexual arousal. Method. The sample comprised 72 Spanish men aged 18-30 years, of whom 50% reportedpredominantly heterosexual behavior and 50% reported predominantly gay behavior. Participants completedthe SIS/SES and measures of sexual functioning (sexual arousal and erection) and sexual arousal assessed in alaboratory setting (rating of sexual arousal, rating of genital sensations, and genital response). Pearson correlationanalyses were conducted to examine associations between continuous scores of the four SIS/SES dimensions:Sexual excitation (SES), Sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure (SIS1), Sexual inhibition dueto the risk of being caught during sexual activity (SIS2), and Sexual inhibition due to the threat of performanceconsequences (SIS3). Additional comparisons across tertile groups were conducted to facilitate the interpretationof significant associations. Results. SES scores were positively associated with ratings of sexual arousal in thelaboratory, whereas SIS1 scores were negatively associated with genital response. No significant associations wereobserved for SIS2 or SIS3. Tertile-based analyses supported the association between SIS1 and genital response, butdid not reveal significant differences in ratings of sexual arousal across SES groups. Conclusions. The findingsprovide partial validity evidence for the Spanish version of the SIS/SES. Specifically, the results support therelevance of SES for subjective sexual arousal and of SIS1 for physiological sexual responding. These findingscontribute to the understanding of the differential role of sexual excitation and inhibition in male sexual response.