The Relationship Between Conflict, Communication, and Sex

Abstract

This instrument is a comprehensive psychological inventory compiled primarily by Tammy Lowery Zacchilli in her 2007 dissertation. It systematically investigates the dynamic relationship between relational conflict, various communication patterns, and sexual dynamics within romantic partnerships, focusing specifically on dating couples. The overarching objective is to determine how specific conflict management strategies and the quality of dyadic communication influence critical relationship outcomes, such as overall relationship satisfaction and sexual intimacy. The inventory integrates several established and validated psychological measures, including the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), the Love Attitudes Scale (LAS), the Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS), and the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC). This multi-faceted approach provides a robust framework for the quantitative analysis of relational variables, highlighting the essential role of healthy interaction processes in mitigating negative relational outcomes and promoting long-term relationship health.

Keywords

Conflict resolution, Romantic relationships, Interpersonal communication, Sexual attitudes, Relationship satisfaction, Dyadic communication, Love styles, Self-disclosure, Sociosexual orientation, Experimental psychology.

Authors

Tammy Lowery Zacchilli, Susan S. Hendrick, Clyde Hendrick, Lund (1985), Canary, Cunningham, & Cody (1988), Catania (1998), Simpson (1998), Miller, Berg, & Archer (1983), Rosenberg (1965).

Purpose

The primary purpose of this extensive multi-scale instrument is to empirically map the intricate connections among relational conflict behaviors, communication efficacy, and sexual experiences within romantic partnerships. By integrating diverse validated scales, the instrument serves as a robust tool for researchers in social and experimental psychology to quantitatively assess how different approaches to conflict resolution—such as collaboration, avoidance, or competition—correlate with relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and individual attitudes toward love and sex.

The systematic integration of specialized measures, notably the Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS) and the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC), enables the identification of specific behavioral patterns that either sustain or undermine relational functioning. The ultimate application of the derived data is to inform evidence-based relationship counseling and psychoeducational interventions designed to cultivate more harmonious, communicative, and satisfying romantic bonds.

Construct

The instrument measures a broad and interconnected constellation of psychological constructs central to relational psychology, focusing on the dynamic processes that either support or degrade romantic relationships. These core constructs are grouped into five major areas:

• Conflict Management Styles: This is assessed using the Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS) and the Episode-Specific Conflict Tactics Scale (ESCT). It examines an individual’s typical tendencies regarding conflict handling, including compromise, collaboration, avoidance, withdrawal, and competitive or verbally aggressive tactics during disagreements.
• Communication Quality: Measured primarily through the Self-disclosure Index and the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC), this construct focuses on the level of openness, honesty, comfort, and efficacy in discussing both general personal information and specific sexual topics with a partner.
• Relationship Satisfaction and Commitment: Evaluated using the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and specific items from the Background Inventory, this gauges the perceived quality of the relationship, existing commitment levels, and future permanence expectations held by the respondent.
• Attitudes Towards Love and Sex: Explored via the Love Attitudes Scale (LAS) and the Sexual Attitudes Scale (Brief), these components assess philosophical approaches to love (e.g., Eros, Ludus, Storge, Mania) and specific dimensions of sociosexual orientation.
• Self-Perception: Measures such as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale are included, based on the understanding that an individual’s fundamental self-worth profoundly influences their interaction style and outcomes within a dyadic relationship.

Validity

Since this instrument is a compilation of multiple, highly established and previously validated scales, its overall validity rests on the extensive psychometric work performed on its constituent parts. For instance, the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) is recognized in the literature for its brevity and strong convergent validity with other, longer measures of relationship quality and satisfaction.

The research utilizing this composite instrument, particularly the 2007 dissertation, typically seeks to establish robust construct and predictive validity within the integrated model. This is achieved by demonstrating theoretically expected correlations between the measured variables. For example, validating the instrument involves showing that high scores on collaborative conflict subscales (RPCS) correlate positively with high relationship satisfaction (RAS) and effective dyadic sexual communication (DSC), thereby supporting the theoretical linkage between healthy interaction processes and positive relational outcomes.

Reliability

The reliability of the composite instrument is fundamentally derived from the robust internal consistency and stability demonstrated by the individual scales it incorporates. Widely used components such as the Love Attitudes Scale (LAS) and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) have consistently reported high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients in prior academic literature, indicating strong internal reliability across diverse samples and populations.

In the context of the primary 2007 dissertation research, specific reliability analysis was conducted on the collected sample data. This process ensures that the multiple subscales measuring related constructs (e.g., the different dimensions of conflict behavior) exhibit sufficient inter-item and test-retest reliability necessary for maintaining the high standards of academic research.

Factor Analysis

Although the inventory consists of scales that have been individually subjected to factor analysis, the primary study utilizing this composite battery necessitates further factor analysis to confirm the underlying structural relationships among the combined measures. This analysis aims to verify that the distinct theoretical constructs, such as general self-disclosure versus sexual communication or committed love styles versus unrestricted sociosexuality, remain empirically separable while exploring their covariance structure in relation to the main outcome variable, relationship satisfaction.

The Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS), specifically developed by Zacchilli, Hendrick, & Hendrick (2005), was explicitly subjected to factor analysis during its development to isolate distinct and measurable conflict handling factors, including “Collaboration,” “Avoidance,” “Verbal Aggression,” and “Withdrawal.” This confirms the factor structure of one of the most central components of the overall instrument.

Instrument

Test Type: Multi-scale Psychological Inventory / Questionnaire

Format: Self-report, fixed-response options (Primarily Likert-type scales and multiple-choice demographics)

Language Available: English (Original research context)

Population Group: Individuals currently or recently involved in romantic or dating relationships

Age Group: Primarily young adults (College-aged and older, with specific age category options provided: 19 or less, 20-22, 23-30, 31-40, 41 or over)

Population Details: Participants respond based on their current or most recent romantic partner. The instrument assesses relationship history, current status (e.g., casual dating, married, divorced), and perceived levels of commitment.

Test Methodology: The methodology involves the concurrent administration of several well-validated and standardized psychological scales to capture a holistic view of relational functioning, attitudes, and behaviors. Responses are typically recorded using discrete rating options on a Scantron answer sheet.

Keywords

Marital satisfaction, Dating relationships, Conflict resolution styles, Sexual communication, Love attitudes, Self-esteem, Relationship commitment, Sociosexuality, Relational variables, Dyadic interaction.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence for Tammy Lowery Zacchilli relates to her doctoral work completed at Texas Tech University in 2007.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The compilation and principal utilization of this specific instrument battery occurred in 2007 as part of a doctoral dissertation by Tammy Lowery Zacchilli. The individual scales comprising the battery were originally published across a range of years, from 1965 (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) to 2006 (Hendrick & Hendrick scales). Researchers interested in using specific scales (e.g., RAS, LAS, SOI) must consult the original authors (Hendrick, Lund, Catania, Simpson, Rosenberg, etc.) regarding permissions and potential fees for their use.

The core document detailing the instrument’s structure and application is the dissertation itself, which is publicly accessible. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/bitstream/handle/2346/9978/Zacchilli_Tammy_Diss.pdf?sequence=1

Reference’s

• Catania (1998). Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC).
• Canary, Cunningham, & Cody (1988). Episode-Specific Conflict Tactics Scale (ESCT).
• Crandal (1973). [Reference related to Self-Esteem Scale].
• Hendrick, C. and Hendrick, S. (1998). Love Attitudes Scale (LAS).
• Hendrick, S. (1988). Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS).
• Hendrick, S. and Hendrick, C. (2006). Respect Scale.
• Hendrick, C., Hendrick, S., and Reich (2006). Sexual Attitudes Scale – Brief.
• Lund (1985). Love and Relationship Biography.
• Miller, Berg, and Archer (1983). Self-disclosure Index.
• Rosenberg (1965). Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
• Simpson (1998). Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI).
• Wylie (1974). [Reference related to Self-Esteem Scale].
• Zacchilli, T. L. (2007). The Relationship Between Conflict and Communication, Sex, Relationship Satisfaction, and other Relational Variables in Dating Relationships. A Dissertation in Experimental Psychology, Texas Tech University.
• Zacchilli, Hendrick, & Hendrick (2005). Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS).

Items of the The Relationship Between Conflict, Communication, and Sex

BACKGROUND INVENTORY

The following questions deal with your personal history and current experience with love and romantic relationships. Please answer each question. se‎lect only one answer per item.

1. I am a: (A) Male (B) Female
2. My ethnic heritage is: (A) Asian or Pacific Islander‚ (B) African American (Black)‚ not of Hispanic origin‚ (C) Mexican-American‚ Hispanic‚ (D) European-American (Anglo)‚ (E) Other
3. My age is: (A) 19 or less‚ (B) 20-22‚ (C) 23-30‚ (D) 31-40‚ (E) 41 or over
4. The quality of my parent’s marriage is/was (if deceased or divorced): (A) Very good‚ (B) Good‚ (C) Average‚ (D) Poor‚ (E) Very poor
5. The way I feel about myself generally is: (A) Very positive‚ (B) Positive‚ (C) Average‚ (D) Negative‚ (E) Very negative
6. I would describe my life right now as: (A) Very happy‚ (B) Happy‚ (C) Okay‚ (D) Unhappy‚ (E) Very unhappy
7. I would describe myself as: (A) very outgoing‚ (B) Outgoing‚ (C) Average‚ (D) Quiet‚ (E) very quiet

Love and Relationship Biography (Lund‚ 1985)

8. Are you currently in a romantic relationship? (A) Yes (B) No
9. If you answered yes‚ how long have you been in the romantic relationship? (A) One month or less‚ (B) 1-3 months‚ (C) Three months to a year‚ (D) over one year (E) Not in a romantic relationship
10. Do you live with your relationship partner? (A) Yes‚ (B) No‚ (C) Not in a romantic relationship
11. What is your relationship status? (A) Casual dating‚ (B) Serious dating‚ (C) Engaged (D) Married‚ (E) Divorced
12. How often do you see your romantic partner? (A) Daily or several times a day‚ (B) Every couple of days‚ (C) Once a week‚ (D) Not often-long distance relationship‚ (E) Not in romantic relationship
13. How many times have you been in love? (A) None‚ (B) One‚ (C) Two‚ (D) Three to five‚ (E) More than five
14. Are you in love now? If “yes”‚ how long? (A) No‚ (B) yes‚ one month or less‚ (C) Yes‚ one to three months‚ (D) Yes‚ three months to one year‚ (E) Yes‚ over one year
15. Have you fallen out of love or had a relationship break up in the last few months? (A) yes‚ (B) no
16. If you are currently involved in a romantic relationship‚ is your relationship a sexual relationship? (A) Not in a relationship‚ (B) No‚ it is not sexual‚ (C) Yes‚ it is a sexual relationship
17. How many previous sexual relationships have you been involved in? (A) None‚ (B) One‚ (C) Two‚ (D) Three‚ (E) Four or more
18. How much sexual desire do you currently experience for your partner? (A) Not in a relationship‚ (B) No sexual desire‚ (C) Very little desire‚ (D) Moderate desire‚ (E) High sexual desire
19. Is your romantic partner: (A) Male‚ (B) Female‚ (C) not in a relationship
20. How likely is it that your current relationship will be permanent? (A) Very unlikely‚ (B)‚ (C) Uncertain‚ (D)‚ (E) Very likely
21. How likely is it that you and your partner will be together six months from now? (A) Very unlikely‚ (B)‚ (C) Uncertain‚ (D)‚ (E) Very likely
22. In your opinion‚ how committed is your partner to this relationship? (A) Not much‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Very committed
23. How committed are you to this relationship? (A) Not much‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Very committed

Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) (Hendrick’s, 1988)

24. How well does your partner meet your needs? (A) Poorly‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Extremely Well
25. In general‚ how satisfied are you with your relationship? (A) Unsatisfied‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Extremely Satisfied
26. How good is your relationship compared to most? (A) Poor‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Excellent
27. How often do you wish you hadn’t gotten into this relationship? (A) Never‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Very Often
28. To what extent has your relationship met your original expectations? (A) Hardly at all‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Completely
29. How much do you love your partner? (A) Not much‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Very Much
30. How many problems are there in your relationship? (A) Very few‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Very many

Love Attitudes Scale (LAS) (C. Hendrick and Hendrick’s, 1998)

Listed below are several statements that reflect different attitudes about love. For each statement fill in the response on the Scantron answer sheet that indicates how much you agree or disagree with the statement. The items refer to a specific love relationship. Whenever possible‚ answer the questions with your most current partner in mind. If you are not currently dating anyone‚ answer the questions with your most recent partner in mind. If you have never been in love‚ answer in terms of what you think your responses would most likely be.
For each statement: A = Strongly agree with the statement, B = Moderately agree with the statement, C = Neutral- neither agree nor disagree, D = Moderately disagree with the statement, E = Strongly disagree with the statement

31. My partner and I have the right physical “chemistry” between us.
32. I feel that my partner and I were meant for each other.
33. My partner and I really understand each other.
34. My partner fits my ideal standards of physical beauty/handsomeness.
35. I believe that what my partner doesn’t know about me won’t hurt him/her.
36. I have sometimes had to keep my partner from finding out about other lovers.
37. My partner would get upset if he/she knew of some of the things I’ve done with other people.
38. I enjoy playing the “game of love” with my partner and a number of other partners.
39. Our love is the best kind because it grew out of a long friendship.
40. Our friendship merged gradually into love over time.
41. Our love is really a deep friendship‚ not a mysterious‚ mystical emotion.
42. Our love relationship is the most satisfying because it developed from a good friendship.
43. A main consideration in choosing my partner was how he/she would reflect on my family.
44. An important factor in choosing my partner was whether or not he/she would be a good parent.
45. One consideration in choosing my partner was how he/she would reflect on my career.
46. Before getting very involved with my partner‚ I tried to figure out how compatible his/her hereditary background would be with mine in case we ever had children.
47. When my partner doesn’t pay attention to me‚ I feel sick all over.
48. Since I’ve been in love with my partner‚ I’ve had trouble concentrating on anything else.
49. I cannot relax if I suspect that my partner is with someone else.
50. If my partner ignores me for a while‚ I sometimes do stupid things to try to get his/her attention back.
51. I would rather suffer than let my partner suffer.
52. I cannot be happy unless I place my partner’s happiness before my own.
53. I am usually willing to sacrifice my own wishes to let my partner achieve his/hers.
54. I would endure all things for the sake of my partner.
55. If two people are in love‚ it is natural for them to have sex.

Respect Scale (S. Hendrick and Hendrick’s, 2006)

Feelings of respect are important for many types of social relationships. We are interested in how respect might be related to romantic relationships. Whenever possible‚ answer the question below with your current partner in mind.
For each statement: A = Strongly agree with the statement, B = Moderately agree with the statement, C = Neutral- neither agree or disagree, D = Moderately disagree with the statement, E = Strongly disagree with the statement

56. I respect my partner.
57. I am interested in my partner as a person.
58. I am a source of “healing” for my partner.
59. I honor my partner.
60. I approve of the person my partner is.
61. I communicate well with my partner.
62. My partner respects me.
63. My partner is interested in me as a person.
64. My partner is a source of “healing” for me.
65. My partner honors me.
66. My partner approves of the person I am.
67. My partner communicates well with me.
68. I have self respect.

Sexual Attitudes Scale – Brief (C. Hendrick‚ Hendrick‚ and Reich’s, 2006)

Listed below are several statements that reflect different attitudes about sex. For each statement fill in the response on the answer sheet that indicates how much you agree or disagree with that statement. Some of the items refer to a specific sexual relationship‚ while others refer to general attitudes and beliefs about sex. Whenever possible‚ answer the questions with your current partner in mind. If you are not currently dating anyone‚ answer the questions with your most recent partner in mind. If you have never had a sexual relationship‚ answer in terms of what you think your responses would most likely be.
A = Strongly agree with the statement, B = Moderately agree with the statement, C = Neutral- neither agree or disagree, D = Moderately disagree with the statement, E = Strongly disagree with the statement

69. I do not need to be committed to a person to have sex with him/her.
70. Casual sex is acceptable.
71. I would like to have sex with many partners.
72. One-night stands are sometimes very enjoyable.
73. It is okay to have ongoing sexual relationships with more than one person at a time.
74. Sex as a simple exchange of favors is okay if both people agree to it.
75. The best sex is with no strings attached.
76. Life would have fewer problems if people could have sex more freely.
77. It is possible to enjoy sex with a person and not like that person very much.
78. It is okay for sex to be just good physical release.
79. Birth control is part of responsible sexuality.
80. A woman should share responsibility for birth control.
81. A man should share responsibility for birth control.
82. Sex is the closest form of communication between two people.
83. A sexual encounter between two people deeply in love is the ultimate human interaction.
84. At its best‚ sex seems to be the merging of two souls.
85. Sex is a very important part of life.
86. Sex is usually an intensive‚ almost overwhelming experience.
87. Sex is best when you let yourself go and focus on your own pleasure.
88. Sex is primarily the taking of pleasure from another person.
89. The main purpose of sex is to enjoy oneself.
90. Sex is primarily physical.
91. Sex is primarily a bodily function‚ like eating.

Self-disclosure Index (Miller‚ Berg‚ and Archer’s, 1983)

Listed below are several statements that reflect different approaches to interpersonal communication. For each statement fill in the response on the answer sheet that indicates how much you agree or disagree with that statement as it applies to your own behavior.
For each statement: A = Strongly agree with the statement, B = Moderately agree with the statement, C = Neutral- neither agree or disagree, D = Moderately disagree with the statement, E = Strongly disagree with the statement
I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS TO A LOVE PARTNER

92. My personal habits.
93. Things I have done which I feel guilty about.
94. Things I wouldn’t do in public.
95. My deepest feelings.
96. What I like and dislike about myself.
97. What is important to me in life.
98. What makes me the person I am.
99. My worst fears.
100. Things I have done which I am proud of.
101. My close relationships with other people.

Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS) (Zacchilli‚ Hendrick‚ & Hendrick‚ 2005)

Think about how you handle conflict with your romantic partner. Specifically‚ think about a significant conflict issue that you and your partner have disagreed about recently. Using the scale below‚ fill in which response is most like how you handled conflict. If you do not have a romantic partner‚ respond with your most current partner in mind. If you have never been in a romantic relationship‚ answer in terms of what you think your responses would most likely be.
For each item‚ answer as follows: A = Strongly agree with statement, B = Moderately agree with statement, C = Neutral‚ neither agree nor disagree, D = Moderately disagree with statement, E = Strongly disagree with statement

102. We try to find solutions that are acceptable to both of us.
103. We often resolve conflict by talking about the problem.
104. Our conflicts usually end when we reach a compromise.
105. When my partner and I disagree‚ we consider both sides of the argument.
106. In order to resolve conflicts‚ we try to reach a compromise.
107. Compromise is the best way to resolve conflict between my partner and me.
108. My partner and I negotiate to resolve our disagreements.
109. I try to meet my partner halfway to resolve a disagreement.
110. The best way to resolve conflict between me and my partner is to find a middle ground.
111. When we disagree‚ we try to find a solution that satisfies both of us.
112. When my partner and I have conflict‚ we collaborate so that we are both happy with our decision.
113. My partner and I collaborate to find a common ground to solve problems between us.
114. We collaborate to come up with the best solution for both of us when we have a problem.
115. We try to collaborate so that we can reach a joint solution to a conflict.
116. My partner and I try to avoid arguments.
117. I avoid disagreements with partner.
118. I avoid conflict with my partner.
119. When my partner and I disagree‚ we argue loudly.
120. Our conflicts usually last quite a while.
121. My partner and I have frequent conflicts.
122. I suffer a lot from conflict with my partner.
123. I become verbally abusive to my partner when we have conflict.
124. My partner and I often argue because I do not trust him/her.
125. When we argue‚ I am easily frustrated.
126. When we have conflict‚ I usually feel hurt.
127. Conflict with my partner often causes strong emotions.
128. When we have conflict‚ we withdraw from each other for a while for a “cooling off” period.
129. When we disagree‚ we try to separate for a while so we can consider both sides of the argument.
130. When we experience conflict‚ we let each other cool off before discussing it further.
131. When we have conflict‚ we separate but expect to deal with it later.
132. Separation for a period of time can work well to let our conflicts cool down.
133. When we argue or fight‚ I try to win.
134. I try to take control when we argue.
135. I rarely let my partner win an argument.
136. When we disagree‚ my goal is to convince to my partner that I am right.
137. When we argue‚ I let my partner know I am in ch‎arge.
138. When we have conflict‚ I try to push my partner into choosing the solution that I think is best.
139. When we have conflict‚ I usually give in to my partner.
140. I give in to my partner’s wishes to settle arguments on my partner’s terms.
141. Sometimes I agree with my partner so the conflict will end.
142. When we argue‚ I usually try to satisfy my partner’s needs rather than my own.
143. I surrender to my partner when we disagree on an issue.
144. How similar are you and your partner in the way you handle conflict? (A) Completely similar Different‚ (B)‚ (C) Somewhat‚ (D)‚ (E) Extremely similar

Episode-Specific Conflict Tactics Scale (ESCT) (Canary‚ Cunningham‚ & Cody‚ 1988)

For each statement: A = Very true of me, B = Quite a bit true of me, C = Moderately true of me, D = A little bit true of me, E = Not at all true of me

145. I tried to change the subject.
146. I compromised with him/her.
147. I calmly discussed the issue.
148. I avoided him/her.
149. I showed concern about his/her feelings and thoughts.
150. I used threats.
151. I avoided the issue.
152. I explored solutions with him/her.
153. I criticized an aspect of his/her personality.
154. I sought a mutually beneficial solution.
155. I shouted at him/her.
156. I tried to postpone the issue as long as possible.
157. I reasoned with him/her in a give and take manner.
158. I tried to make him/her feel guilty.
159. I changed the topic of discussion.
160. I expressed my trust in him/her.
161. I was sympathetic to his/her position.
162. I blamed him/her for causing the conflict.
163. I teased him/her.
164. I was hostile.
165. I ignored the issue.
166. I showed that I lost my temper.
167. I talked about abstract things instead of the conflict issue.
168. I accepted my fair share of responsibility for the conflict.
169. I criticized his/her behavior.
170. I focused on the meaning of the words more than the conflict issue.
171. I tried to understand him/her.
172. I tried to intimidate him/her.
173. I ignored his/her thoughts and feelings.
174. I told him/her how to behave in the future.
175. I denied that there was any problem or conflict.
176. I was sarcastic in my use of humor.
177. I kept my partner guessing what was really on my mind.
178. I avoided the issue by focusing on how we were arguing instead of what we were arguing about.
179. I blamed the conflict on an aspect of his/her personality.
180. I explained why there was no problem at all.

Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC) (Catania’s, e.g.‚ 1998)

The purpose of this scale is to examine how individuals and their partners communicate about sex. Please read and respond to each statement with your current partner in mind.
For each statement: A = Strongly agree with the statement, B = Moderately agree with the statement, C = Neutral- neither agree or disagree, D = Moderately disagree with the statement, E = Strongly disagree with the statement

181. My partner rarely responds when I want to talk about our sex life.
182. Some sexual matters are too upsetting to discuss with my sexual partner.
183. There are sexual issues of problems in our sexual relationship that we have never discussed.
184. My partner and I never seem to resolve our disagreements about sexual issues.
185. Whenever my partner and I talk about sex‚ I feel like she or he is lecturing me.
186. My partner often complains that I am not very clear about what I want sexually.
187. My partner and I have never had a heart-to-heart talk about our sex life together.
188. My partner has no difficulty in talking to me about his or her sexual feelings and desires.
189. Even when angry with me‚ my partner is able to appreciate my views on sexuality.
190. Talking about sex is a satisfying experience for both of us.
191. My partner and I can usually talk calmly about our sex life.
192. I have little difficulty in telling my partner what I do or don’t do sexually.
193. I seldom feel embarrassed when talking about the details of our sex life with my partner.

Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI) (Simpson’s, e.g.‚ 1998)

Please answer all of the following questions honestly‚ both the questions dealing with behavior and the questions dealing with thoughts and attitudes.

194. With how many different partners have you had sex (sexual intercourse) within the past year? (A) Zero‚ (B) One‚ (C) Two‚ (D) Three to Four‚ (E) Five or more
195. How many different partners do you foresee yourself ha‎ving sex with during the next five years? (Please give a specific‚ realistic estimate) (A) Zero‚ (B) One‚ (C) Two‚ (D) Three to Four‚ (E) Five or more
196. With how many different partners have you had sex on one and only one occasion? (A) Zero‚ (B) One‚ (C) Two‚ (D) Three to Four‚ (E) Five or more
197. How often do you fantasize about ha‎ving sex with someone other than your current dating partner? (A) Never‚ (B) Once every 2 or 3 months‚ (C) Once every 2 or 3 weeks‚ (D) Once every 2 or 3 days‚ (E) Once or more every

For each statement: A = Strongly disagree with the statement, B = Moderately disagree with the statement, C = Neutral-neither agree or disagree, D = Moderately agree with the statement, E = Strongly agree with the statement

198. Sex without love is OK.
199. I can imagine myself being comfortable and enjoying “casual” sex with different partners.
200. I would have to be closely attached to someone (both emotionally and psychologically) before I could feel comfortable and fully enjoy ha‎ving sex with him or her.

Self-Esteem (Rosenberg’s, 1965; Crandal‚ 1973; Wylie‚ 1974)

use the scale below when responding to each statement.
A = Strongly Agree, B = Agree, C = Disagree, D = Strongly Disagree

201. I feel that I’m a person of worth‚ at least on an equal plane with others.
202. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
203. All in all‚ I am inclined to feel that I am a failure.
204. I am able to do things as well as most other people.
205. I feel I do not have much to be proud of.
206. I take a positive attitude toward myself.
207. On the whole‚ I am satisfied with myself.
208. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
209. I certainly feel useless at times
210. At times‚ I think I am no good at all.

Additional Self-Esteem Items:

211. Overall‚ how do you feel about yourself? (A) Very Poor‚ (B)‚ (C) Average‚ (D)‚ (E) Very Good
212. I have high self-esteem (A) Strongly disagree‚ (B) Disagree‚ (C) Neutral‚ (D) Agree‚ (E) Strongly Agree.