The Sexual Relationship Scale (SRS)

Abstract

The Sexual Relationship Scale (SRS) is a 24-item psychological scale developed by T. G. Hughes and W. E. Snell, Jr. in 1990. It is designed to quantify individual differences in fundamental relational expectations specifically within intimate sexual contexts. The SRS operationalizes the theoretical framework established by Clark and Mills, distinguishing between Communal and Exchange approaches to relationships and applying these concepts directly to sexual relations.

The instrument assesses whether an individual’s orientation in intimate interactions is primarily driven by a desire for mutual responsiveness and unconditional caring (the Communal Approach) or by the strict adherence to reciprocity and the balancing of sexual benefits and favors (the Exchange Approach). Utilizing a 5-point Likert scale format, the SRS provides distinct scores for both orientations, allowing researchers to study the impact of relational norms on sexual and relationship satisfaction.

Keywords

Sexual Relationship Scale, SRS, Communal relationships, Exchange relationships, sexual relations, reciprocity, intimacy, relationship orientation, psychological assessment.

Authors

T. G. Hughes, W. E. Snell, Jr.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the SRS is to offer a reliable and standardized measurement tool for researchers and clinicians studying the sexual domain of close relationships. By quantifying an individual’s orientation toward giving and receiving sexual benefits, the SRS facilitates the systematic study of how differing relational expectations—specifically, the adherence to communal or exchange norms—impact critical relationship outcomes.

The scale contributes to a deeper understanding of motivational dynamics in intimate partnerships. It helps identify individuals who may feel obligated to repay sexual favors (Exchange orientation) versus those who are motivated by a desire to meet their partner’s needs simply because they care (Communal orientation). This quantification illuminates potential sources of relational tension, conflict management styles, and overall relationship satisfaction.

Construct

The SRS is conceptualized as a bidimensional measure rooted in the influential relationship models developed by Clark and Mills. These foundational constructs dictate the rules governing the exchange of benefits, which the SRS applies specifically to the domain of sexual relations. The scale is structured into two independent subscales:

• Exchange Approach to Sexual Relations: This subscale captures the extent to which an individual views sexual interactions as inherently transactional. High scorers are characterized by expecting prompt repayment for sexual favors, diligently tracking benefits received, and prioritizing the maintenance of “even” accounts within the intimate partnership.
• Communal Approach to Sexual Relations: This subscale assesses the degree to which an individual is highly responsive to their partner’s needs and feelings. Individuals scoring high on this dimension are motivated to satisfy their partner without the expectation of immediate or specific repayment, reflecting a non-contingent investment in mutual care and responsiveness.

Validity

The SRS demonstrates robust construct validity due to its strong conceptual foundation, which aligns clearly with the established theoretical framework of communal and exchange relationships. Empirical evidence from factor analytic studies consistently supports the expected two-factor structure, confirming that the Communal and Exchange subscales are distinct and largely independent measures, ensuring the instrument accurately captures two separate psychological orientations.

Furthermore, external validation studies have established the scale’s criterion validity by demonstrating its predictive utility for relationship outcomes. For instance, a strong communal orientation is consistently linked to higher levels of sexual and general relationship satisfaction. Conversely, a pronounced exchange orientation may correlate with negative outcomes, such as feelings of exploitation or resentment, particularly when the exchange of perceived benefits is deemed unequal.

Reliability

The reliability of the Sexual Relationship Scale is consistently reported as high, indicating strong internal consistency for both the Communal and Exchange subscales. Original research conducted by Hughes and Snell in 1990 established the initial psychometric soundness of the instrument, confirming its capacity to measure the intended constructs dependably across diverse populations.

Factor Analysis

The underlying structure of the SRS was confirmed through factor analysis, which successfully supported the segregation of the 24 scale items into two primary, non-overlapping dimensions: the Communal Approach and the Exchange Approach. This two-factor solution is critical, as it confirms the theoretical assertion that individuals can possess varying degrees of both communal and exchange orientations simultaneously, rather than being forced into a single, mutually exclusive category.

The resulting item loadings clearly differentiate the item sets, with items reflecting expectations of prompt repayment and reciprocity loading heavily onto the Exchange factor, and items emphasizing responsiveness, care, and mutual welfare loading strongly onto the Communal factor.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Psychological scale.

Format: 24 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, where: A = Not at all characteristic of me; B = Slightly characteristic of me; C = Somewhat characteristic of me; D = Moderately characteristic of me; E = Very characteristic of me.

Language Available: English (Original).

Population Group: Adults engaged in or reflecting upon intimate relationships, particularly those involving sexual relations.

Age Group: Typically utilized with college students and general adult populations.

Population Details: Suitable for use with individuals in dating, cohabiting, or marital relationships, as well as those reflecting on past relationships.

Test Methodology: The scale is administered via self-report. Scores are calculated by summing the responses for the respective subscales. The Communal subscale utilizes Items 1, 3, 4, 9, 13, 15, 21, and 24. The Exchange subscale utilizes Items 2, 6(R), 8(R), 10(R), 12, 14, 16, and 18(R). Reverse scoring (R) must be applied to the specified items to maintain consistency in the direction of the construct measurement.

Keywords

Relationship orientation, psychometrics, intimacy, sexual exchange, communal giving, relationship satisfaction, Hughes and Snell, Clark and Mills, reciprocity.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source material.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence concerning the SRS is generally directed toward W. E. Snell, Jr., who was often associated with Southeast Missouri State University at the time of the scale’s initial publication.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Sexual Relationship Scale (SRS) was formally introduced and published in academic literature in 1990, with subsequent elaboration and discussion in 2001. The instrument is widely accessible for academic and non-commercial research purposes. The scale, along with supplementary information and scoring instructions, is available online via the following links: http://www4.semo.edu/snell/scales/SRS.htm and http://www4.semo.edu/snell/TESTING.HTM.

Reference’s

• Clark, M.S., & Mills, J. (1979). Interpersonal attraction in exchange and communal relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37, 12-24.
• Clark, M.S., Ouellette, R., Powell, M.C., & Milberg, S. (1987). Recipient’s mood, relationship type, and helping. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 94-103.
• Clark, M. S., Taraban, C., Ho, J., & Wesner, K. (1989). A measure of exchange orientation. Unpublished manuscript, Carnegie Mellon University.
• Hughes, T., & Snell, W. E., Jr. (1990). Communal and exchange approaches to sexual relations. Annals of Sex Research, 3, 149-163.
• Hughes, T. G., & Snell, W. E., Jr. (2001). Chapter 5: Communal and exchange approaches to sexual relations. In W. E. Snell, Jr. (Ed.), New directions in the psychology of human sexuality: Research and theory. Cape Girardeau, MO: Snell Publications. WEB: http://cstl-cla.semo.edu/snell/books/sexuality/sexuality.htm.
• Snell, W. E., Jr. (in press). The Sexual Relationship Scale. In C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarber, and S. L. Davis (Eds.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures. Newbury Park: Sage.

Items of the The Sexual Relationship Scale (SRS)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

• 1. It would bother me if my sexual partner neglected my needs.
• 2. When I make love with someone I generally expect something in return.
• 3. If I were to make love with a sexual partner, I’d take that person’s needs & feelings into account.
• 4. If a sexual partner were to do something sensual for me, I’d try to do the same for him/her.
• 5. I’m not especially sensitive to the feelings of a sexual partner.
• 6. I don’t think people should feel obligated to repay an intimate partner for sexual favors. (R)
• 7. I don’t consider myself to be a particularly helpful sexual partner.
• 8. I wouldn’t feel all that exploited if an intimate partner failed to repay me for a sexual favor. (R)
• 9. I believe sexual lovers should go out of their way to be sexually responsive to their partner.
• 10. I wouldn’t bother to keep track of the times a sexual partner asked for a sensual pleasure. (R)
• 11. I wouldn’t especially enjoy helping a partner achieve their own sexual satisfaction.
• 12. When a person receives sexual pleasures from another, s/he ought to repay that person right away.
• 13. I expect a sexual partner to be responsive to my sexual needs and feelings.
• 14. It’s best to make sure things are always kept “even” between two people in a sexual relationship.
• 15. I would be willing to go out of my way to satisfy my sexual partner.
• 16. I would do a special sexual favor for an intimate partner, only if that person did some special sexual favor for me.
• 17. I don’t think it’s wise to get involved taking care of a partner’s sexual needs.
• 18. If my sexual partner performed a sexual request for me, I wouldn’t feel that I’d have to repay him/her later on. (R)
• 19. I’m not the sort of person who would help a partner with a sexual problem.
• 20. If my sexual partner wanted something special from me, s/he would have to do something sexual for me.
• 21. If I were feeling sexually needy, I’d ask my sexual partner for help.
• 22. If my sexual partner became emotionally upset, I would try to avoid him/her.
• 23. People should keep their sexual problems to themselves.
• 24. If a sexual partner were to ignore my sexual needs, I’d feel hurt.