Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire

Abstract

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire (HISD) is a specialized psychological assessment tool designed to measure the subjective level of sexual interest and libido in individuals, often focusing on desire within the context of a committed relationship. Developed by David F. Hurlbert and described primarily in the seminal 1992 publication by Apt and Hurlbert, the scale consists of 25 items utilizing a 5-point Likert scale format.

The HISD is a widely cited instrument in clinical and academic studies concerning sexual function and dysfunction. It is particularly valuable in research involving populations experiencing shifts in sexual motivation due to physiological or relational changes, such as women in the postpartum period, which was the focus of the initial validation study. The scale’s structure allows for the quantification of both the cognitive and motivational aspects of sexual desire.

Keywords

Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire, HISD, Sexual Desire, Libido, Sexual Function, Sexual Motivation, Psychological Assessment, Sexology, Apt and Hurlbert 1992, Self-Report Scale.

Authors

David F. Hurlbert, Carol Apt.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire (HISD) is to quantify the intensity and frequency of an individual’s self-reported sexual desire. It is designed to capture internal psychological components, such as fantasies and thoughts about sex, as well as behavioral motivation regarding sexual activity with a partner.

Clinically, the scale is instrumental for identifying individuals who may be experiencing low libido or hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Academically, the HISD serves as a reliable and accessible measure for research investigating various factors that influence sexual motivation, including relationship quality, hormonal status, and the effectiveness of psychological or pharmacological interventions aimed at improving sexual health.

Construct

The HISD measures the psychological construct of Sexual Desire, defined here as the subjective experience of wanting or craving sexual activity. This is treated as a complex, multifaceted construct encompassing cognitive, affective, and motivational components related to sexual engagement.

The 25 items specifically target several dimensions of desire, including: 1) Spontaneous Desire (e.g., daydreaming or thinking about sex), 2) Responsive Desire (e.g., ease of becoming aroused or getting in the mood), 3) Motivational Drive (e.g., appetite for sex), and 4) Avoidance Behaviors (e.g., actively trying to avoid sexual situations with a partner). By incorporating both desire-promoting (positively worded) and desire-inhibiting (negatively worded, reverse-scored) items, the scale provides a robust, comprehensive measure of the full continuum of sexual interest.

Validity

The validity of the HISD has been supported across numerous studies since its introduction, demonstrating its utility as a measure of sexual motivation. The content validity is strong, as the items comprehensively cover the range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral indicators associated with subjective sexual desire within a relational context.

The HISD has demonstrated strong concurrent validity, consistently correlating significantly with other established measures of sexual function and overall relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, the scale exhibits good discriminant validity, successfully differentiating between clinical samples experiencing low desire and non-clinical control groups. This ability to distinguish between populations underscores its effectiveness as a diagnostic and research tool in sexual psychometrics.

Reliability

The reliability of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire is typically assessed through internal consistency measures. A scale designed to measure a unitary construct, such as sexual desire, must exhibit a high degree of correlation between its items.

In various research applications, the HISD has consistently reported high internal consistency coefficients, often quantified using Cronbach’s Alpha, with values frequently ranging from 0.85 to 0.95. These high values suggest that the 25 items reliably measure the same underlying construct. Furthermore, satisfactory test-retest reliability has been established in stable populations, indicating the measure provides consistent scores over time, thus confirming its stability and trustworthiness for longitudinal research.

Factor Analysis

Although the HISD is conventionally utilized as a unidimensional measure, yielding a single total score reflecting global sexual desire, factor analytic studies have confirmed its underlying structure. The initial research likely employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to confirm that the vast majority of items loaded onto a single, dominant factor representing overall sexual libido and motivation.

While some researchers might propose sub-factors (such as cognitive desire versus behavioral motivation), the prevailing use of the HISD in clinical and academic settings centers on the total score derived from all 25 items, reinforcing its structure as a simple, powerful index rather than a complex inventory requiring multiple subscale interpretations.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire/Index

Format: 25 items scored on a 5-point Likert Scale.

Language Available: Primarily English.

Population Group: Adults (often used with individuals in a committed relationship).

Age Group: 18 years and older.

Population Details: Originally validated on a specific population (military wives postpartum); however, it has been widely applied to various adult populations in sexual health research globally.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the frequency of their feelings or behaviors related to sexual desire. The scoring system assigns points based on frequency: 0 points = all of the time, +1 point = most of the time, +2 points = some of the time, +3 points = rarely, and +4 points = never. Items marked (R) are reverse scored to maintain consistency. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating lower levels of sexual desire or greater sexual avoidance.

Keywords

HISD, Sexual Libido Measurement, Postpartum Sexuality, Psychometrics, Sexual Function Index, Clinical Sexology, Self-Report Scale, Construct Validity.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not available in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected] (David F. Hurlbert, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Correspondence Address: David F. Hurlbert, 140 Farnworth Lane, Roswell, Georgia 30075.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire was first described and published in 1992. As an academic instrument, it is commonly used in research settings. Information regarding specific permissions and any associated fees for clinical or commercial use should be sought directly from the primary author, David F. Hurlbert, or the publisher of the original article, the Journal of Sex Education and Therapy.

Test Year: 1992.

Reference’s

• Apt, C. & Hurlbert, D. F. (1992). Motherhood and female sexuality beyond one year postpartum: A study of military wives. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 18, 104–114.

Items of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Desire

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

1. Just thinking about having sex with my partner excites me. (R)

2. I try to avoid situations that will encourage my partner to want sex.

3. I daydream about sex. (R)

4. It is difficult for me to get in a sexual mood.

5. I desire more sex than my partner does. (R)

6. It is hard for me to fantasize about sexual things.

7. I look forward to having sex with my partner. (R)

8. I have a huge appetite for sex. (R)

9. I enjoy using sexual fantasy during sex with my partner. (R)

10. It is easy for me to get in the mood for sex. (R)‌

11. My desire for sex should be stronger.

12. I enjoy thinking about sex. (R)

13. I desire sex. (R)

14. It is easy for me to go weeks without having sex with my partner.

15. My motivation to engage in sex with my partner is low.

16. I feel I want sex less than most people.

17. It is easy for me to create sexual fantasies in my mind. (R)

18. I have a strong sex drive. (R)

19. I enjoy thinking about having sex with my partner. (R)

20. My desire for sex with my partner is strong. (R)

21. I feel that sex is not an important aspect of the relationship I share with my partner.

22. I think my energy level for sex with my partner is too low.

23. It is hard for me to get in the mood for sex.

24. I lack the desire necessary to pursue sex with my partner.

25. I try to avoid having sex with my partner.

Note. (R) = reverse scored items. Scoring system responses: 0 points = all of the time, +1 point = most of the time, +2 points = some of the time, +3 points = rarely, +4 points = never.