Hurlbert Index of Sexual Narcissism Scale

Abstract

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Narcissism (HISN) is a specialized psychological scale designed to measure the degree of narcissistic traits and behaviors specifically exhibited in the context of sexual and intimate relationships. Developed by David F. Hurlbert and colleagues, the HISN comprises 25 items rated on a 5-point scale. The instrument aims to quantify characteristics such as sexual entitlement, lack of empathy, grandiosity regarding sexual prowess, and the prioritization of personal sexual gratification over a partner’s needs or relational closeness. The development and initial validation of the HISN were detailed in a seminal 1994 study, establishing it as a key tool for research into sexual dysfunction and relationship dynamics.

Keywords

Sexual narcissism, Hurlbert Index, HISN, sexual entitlement, psychological assessment, relationship dynamics, self-report measure

Authors

David F. Hurlbert, C. Apt, N. E. Wilson, Y. Murphy, T. Gasar

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Narcissism (HISN) is to provide a reliable and quantifiable measure for researchers and clinicians assessing the construct of sexual narcissism. This scale allows for the systematic study of narcissistic tendencies as they manifest sexually, differentiating them from general personality narcissism. By identifying these specific traits—such as the belief in sexual entitlement and the devaluation of emotional closeness in favor of physical gratification—the HISN assists in understanding relational conflict, sexual dissatisfaction, and problematic sexual behaviors within committed partnerships.

Furthermore, the scale is useful in clinical settings for diagnosing and formulating treatment plans for individuals whose narcissistic sexual patterns interfere with healthy intimacy. The resulting score, ranging from 0 to 100, provides a clear metric indicating the severity of these narcissistic traits, making it a valuable instrument for correlational studies investigating sexual health outcomes.

Construct

The HISN measures Sexual Narcissism, a distinct psychological construct characterized by an inflated sense of sexual competence, entitlement, and a profound lack of empathy toward sexual partners. This construct is rooted in the broader theory of narcissism but is specifically focused on how these traits govern sexual decision-making and relationship behavior.

Key facets of the construct assessed by the HISN include sexual entitlement (the belief that one’s sexual needs must be fulfilled regardless of the partner’s feelings), sexual grandiosity (an exaggerated view of one’s sexual skills and knowledge), and sexual exploitation (the tendency to use sex purely for self-gratification, often viewing the partner as a means to an end). The items reflect attitudes that prioritize self-pleasure, demand sexual praise, dismiss emotional demands, and justify sexually self-serving behaviors, even if they involve infidelity or relational distance.

Validity

Initial validation studies, particularly the 1994 publication by Hurlbert and colleagues, established the construct validity of the HISN by demonstrating that scores on the scale correlate meaningfully with other established measures of narcissism and related psychological variables, while remaining distinct from general sexual satisfaction scales. Construct validity was supported by the scale’s ability to differentiate between individuals exhibiting maladaptive sexual relationship patterns and those in healthy, intimate relationships.

Further validation efforts typically involve assessing criterion validity, examining if high HISN scores predict real-world behaviors consistent with sexual narcissism, such as infidelity, low relationship commitment, or partner dissatisfaction. The focused nature of the items ensures that the scale specifically captures the sexual dimension of narcissism, lending strength to its overall validity as a specialized assessment tool.

Reliability

The reliability of the HISN was assessed during its initial development phase, primarily focusing on internal consistency. A robust scale must ensure that all items are measuring the same underlying construct, which is typically demonstrated using statistical measures such as Cronbach’s alpha. High internal consistency indicates that the 25 items cohere strongly to form a unified measure of sexual narcissism.

While specific reliability coefficients (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) are detailed in the original validation study, the scale is generally considered reliable for research purposes. Test-retest reliability, which measures the stability of scores over time, would also be crucial, ensuring that the scale provides consistent results when administered to the same individuals across different time points, provided the underlying narcissistic traits have not changed.

Factor Analysis

The initial development of the HISN likely involved factor analysis to confirm the underlying structure of the 25 items and to ensure they load onto a single, cohesive factor representing global sexual narcissism, or potentially reveal distinct sub-factors (dimensions). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) would have been used to reduce the data and confirm that the items cluster logically around the core theoretical components of the construct, such as entitlement, exploitation, and grandiosity.

Although the source material does not explicitly detail the factor structure, a well-validated scale typically demonstrates a clear, interpretable factor structure. This process is critical for establishing the structural validity of the instrument, confirming that the scale accurately reflects the theoretical model of sexual narcissism it was designed to measure.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological scale

Format: 25 items, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale response format.

Language Available: English (Original development language)

Population Group: Adults involved in or evaluating intimate relationships.

Age Group: Typically 18 years and older.

Population Details: Used primarily in non-clinical and clinical samples to study relationship dynamics, sexual behaviors, and marital therapy effectiveness.

Test Methodology: Respondents are asked to indicate their level of agreement with each statement. Scoring is based on a weighted system: Strongly Agree (+4), Agree (+3), Undecided (+2), Disagree (+1), and Strongly Disagree (+0). Total scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate a greater degree of sexual narcissism.

Keywords

Entitlement, sexual grandiosity, relationship therapy, marital counseling, psychological measurement, self-absorption, sexual exploitation

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source material; requires external lookup.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

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

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 1994 (Based on the validation study).

Permissions & Fee: Permissions for clinical or research use should be sought from the primary author, David F. Hurlbert, or through the publisher of the validating journal, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. Specific fee structures are not detailed in the source.

The original research describing the HISN is available through the academic reference provided below.

Reference’s

Hurlbert, D. F., Apt, C., Wilson, N. E., & Murphy, Y. (1994). Sexual nacissism: A validation study. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 20, 24–34.

Items of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Narcissism Scale

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

1. In sex, I like to be the one in charge.
2. My partner has difficulty understanding my sexual needs.
3. In general, most people take sex too seriously.
4. When it comes to sex, I consider myself a knowledgeable person.
5. In a close relationship, sex is an entitlement.
6. I believe I have a special style of making love.
7. I think people have the right to do anything they please in sex.
8. My partner tends to place too many emotional demands on me.
9. Pleasing yourself in sex is most important because it is hard to please someone sexually if you do not know how to please yourself first.
10. A relationship can keep one from engaging in a lot of fulfilling sexual activities.
11. Not enough people have sex for fun anymore.
12. I have no sexual inhibitions.
13. Too much relationship closeness can interfere with sexual pleasure.
14. In certain situations, sexually cheating on a partner is justifiable.
15. I think I am better at sex than most people my age.
16. In a close relationship, I would expect my partner to fulfill my sexual wishes.
17. My partner seldom gives me the sexual praise I deserve.
18. In a relationship where I commit myself, sex is a right.
19. In order to have a good sexual relationship, at least one partner needs to take charge.
20. Relationships that are too close are often too demanding.
21. When it comes to sex, not enough people live for the moment.
22. I know some pretty unique sexual techniques.
23. Emotional closeness can easily get in the way of sexual pleasure.
24. Couples should leave a relationship when they find sex to no longer be enjoyable.
25. In a close relationship, if a sexual act feels good, it is right.