Hurlbert Index of Sexual Excitability

Abstract

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Excitability (HISE) is a specialized psychometric instrument designed to quantify an individual’s subjective experience of sexual arousal and responsiveness. Originally described by David F. Hurlbert, C. Apt, and S. M. Rabehl in 1993, the HISE consists of 25 items utilizing a Likert-type frequency scale. The scale assesses various dimensions of excitability, including the speed of arousal onset, the maintenance of excitement during sexual activity, and the degree of stimulation derived from specific sexual encounters. It is a critical tool used primarily in research and clinical settings related to sexual health and marital therapy.

Keywords

Sexual Excitability, Sexual Arousal, HISE, Psychometrics, Sexual Satisfaction, Marital Therapy, David F. Hurlbert.

Authors

David F. Hurlbert, C. Apt, S. M. Rabehl.

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the HISE is to provide a standardized, reliable measure of an individual’s dispositional and situational sexual excitability. Its initial development was motivated by the need to identify key psychological variables that contribute significantly to female sexual satisfaction, particularly within the context of stable, nondistressed marriages.

In clinical practice, the HISE serves as an assessment tool to evaluate potential difficulties related to sexual responsiveness. By analyzing the 25 items, clinicians can pinpoint specific areas of difficulty (e.g., difficulty achieving arousal versus difficulty maintaining it) which is essential for differential diagnosis and the targeted treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Construct

The psychological construct measured by the HISE is Sexual Excitability, defined as the propensity and capacity of an individual to achieve and maintain subjective sexual arousal in response to various stimuli. This construct is viewed as a fundamental component of overall sexual function, distinct from merely measuring desire or behavior.

The scale captures both the positive aspects of easily triggered arousal (e.g., excitement during foreplay or from cognitive stimuli) and the negative aspects, such as perceived slowness in becoming aroused or the rapid loss of excitement. The comprehensive nature of the items ensures that the measurement reflects a broad scope of sexual experience.

Validity

The validity of the HISE is supported by its strong foundation in sexual response theory and its demonstrated empirical relationships with related measures. Content validity is high, as the 25 items systematically cover the key temporal and behavioral dimensions of sexual arousal, from onset to maintenance and specific activities.

Construct validity has been established through research showing that HISE scores correlate significantly with measures of overall sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, and general psychological well-being. Furthermore, the scale demonstrates discriminant validity by effectively distinguishing between individuals reporting high versus low levels of sexual function, confirming its utility as a diagnostic and research instrument.

Reliability

The reliability of the HISE ensures that the measurements are consistent and dependable. While specific psychometric data must be referenced in the original 1993 publication, measures of internal consistency (typically Cronbach’s Alpha) reported for similar Hurlbert scales generally indicate high reliability, suggesting that all 25 items cohere well to measure the single underlying construct of sexual excitability.

High internal consistency is crucial for scales used in clinical assessment, guaranteeing that any observed score variation is attributable to actual differences in sexual excitability rather than measurement error. Longitudinal studies would also confirm test-retest reliability, demonstrating the stability of an individual’s score across different measurement periods.

Factor Analysis

The development process for the HISE involved empirical testing, likely including factor analysis, to confirm the scale’s structural integrity. This statistical technique would have been used to verify whether the 25 items load appropriately onto a single, dominant factor representing overall sexual excitability, or if they cluster into distinct sub-factors (e.g., physical vs. cognitive arousal, or partner-dependent vs. self-stimulation). Understanding the factor structure is essential for appropriate interpretation of subscale scores, although the HISE is often utilized as a single, cumulative score measure of excitability.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Psychological Test/Index

Format: 25 items utilizing a 5-point Likert-type frequency scale.

Language Available: Primarily English.

Population Group: Adults (initially validated on women in nondistressed marriages).

Age Group: 18+

Population Details: Used in research and clinical settings focused on sexual function, satisfaction, and marital adjustment. Appropriate for assessing subjective excitability in both clinical and non-clinical adult populations.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the frequency with which they experience the described feelings or behaviors. The scoring system assigns higher points (up to 4) to less frequent or absent excitability, meaning higher cumulative scores indicate lower overall sexual excitability or greater difficulty with arousal. Reverse scoring is applied to positively worded items.

Keywords

Sexual Health, Arousal Scale, Hurlbert, Sex Therapy, Psychometric Instrument, Sexual Function, Clinical Assessment.

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

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

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 1993.

Permissions and Fees: The scale was introduced in a publication by the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. Researchers and clinical practitioners interested in utilizing the HISE should direct inquiries regarding permissions, licensing, and any associated fees to the primary author, David F. Hurlbert, or the journal publisher.

Reference’s

• Hurlbert, D. F., Apt, C., & Rabehl, S. M. (1993). Key variables to understanding female sexual satisfaction: An examination of women in nondistressed marriages. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 19, 154–165.

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Items of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Excitability

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

1. I quickly become sexually excited during foreplay. (R)
2. I find sex with my partner to be exciting. (R)
3. When it comes to having sex with my partner, I experience orgasms. (R)
4. It is difficult for me to become sexually aroused.
5. During sex, I seem to lose with initial level of sexual excitement.
6. I feel I take too long to get sexually aroused.
7. It is hard for me to become sexually excited.
8. Sex is boring.
9. I quickly become sexually excited when my partner performs oral sex on me. (R)
10. Just thinking about sex turns me on. (R)
11. I find anal sex to be exciting. (R)
12. When it comes to sex, I am easily aroused by my partner touching me. (R)
13. I find masturbation to be sexually stimulating. (R)
14. I seem to lose my sexual excitement too fast.
15. Kissing is sexually arousing for me. (R)
16. Even when I am in the mood, it is difficult for me to get excited about sex.
17. Sexual foreplay is exciting for me. (R)‌
18. When it comes to sex, it seems to take me a long time to get sexually aroused.
19. Pleasing my partner is sexually exciting for me. (R)
20. I have difficulty maintaining my sexual excitement.
21. I find sexual intercourse to be exciting. (R)
22. When it comes to sex, I think my level of sexual excitement is low.
23. Even when I desire sex, it seems hard for me to become excited.
24. Giving my partner oral sex is sexually exciting for me. (R)
25. In general, sex is satisfying for me. (R)

Note on Scoring: (R) = Reverse-scored items. Scoring system responses: all of the time = 0 points; most of the time = +1 point; some of the time = +2 points; rarely = +3 points; never = +4 points. Higher scores indicate lower sexual excitability.