Sexual Compulsivity Scale

Abstract

The Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), developed by Seth C. Kalichman and colleagues, is a widely utilized psychometric scale designed to quantify the severity and functional impact of problematic sexual thoughts and behaviors. The SCS assesses the degree to which an individual experiences intrusive sexual urges, perceives a loss of control, and suffers subsequent disruption to daily functioning, relationships, and responsibilities due to sexual preoccupation.

The scale is frequently employed in research contexts to identify individuals at elevated risk for negative outcomes, particularly those related to engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors and the potential for HIV transmission. The SCS conceptualizes sexual compulsivity not merely as high libido, but as a specific pattern characterized by uncontrollable behavior that leads directly to personal distress and functional impairment.

Keywords

Sexual Compulsivity, Compulsive Sexual Behavior, Psychological Assessment, HIV Risk, High-Risk Behavior, Kalichman, Psychometrics, Loss of Control, Sexual Health

Authors

Seth C. Kalichman, David Rompa, V. Adair, K. Multhauf, J. Johnson, J. Kelly, J. Greenberg, G.G. Abel, E.G. Benotsch, S.D. Pinkerton

Purpose

The primary function of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale is to establish a **reliable and concise measure** of the psychological construct of sexual compulsivity. It was specifically created to assess the extent to which intrusive sexual urges and subsequent behaviors interfere with an individual’s life, particularly in populations where such interference might predict significant health risks. The scale serves as a crucial screening tool for identifying individuals who may require therapeutic intervention for problematic sexual patterns.

Furthermore, the SCS has been instrumental in public health research. It helps examine the critical relationship between elevated sexual compulsivity scores and increased engagement in **high-risk sexual behaviors**, including those associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Its application is vital for understanding risk factors across diverse populations, notably men who have sex with men (MSM) and individuals who are HIV-positive.

Construct

The SCS measures a single, underlying psychological construct defined as **sexual compulsivity**, often conceptualized as a lack of control over sexual thoughts and actions. This construct is characterized by three core, interdependent elements: **cognitive preoccupation** (excessive and intrusive sexual thoughts), **behavioral dyscontrol** (significant difficulty in inhibiting sexual urges), and **negative consequences** (disruption of relationships, work, or daily life).

Unlike simple measures of sexual desire or activity levels, the SCS focuses specifically on the **subjective experience of uncontrollable urges** and the resulting negative impact. High scores on the scale indicate a pattern where sexual drives are experienced as ego-dystonic or overwhelming, leading to a struggle to maintain personal responsibilities and commitments.

Validity

Extensive academic investigation supports the **validity** of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale across various demographic groups. Studies consistently demonstrate strong construct validity, confirming that SCS scores correlate robustly and positively with other established measures designed to assess sexual preoccupation and general compulsive behavior patterns.

Crucially, the scale exhibits high predictive validity, consistently proving effective in foretelling participation in high-risk sexual behaviors, such as inconsistent condom use and having multiple partners, particularly among homosexually active men and HIV-positive individuals. Furthermore, the scale has shown convergent validity by correlating positively with measures of substance use and negative psychological affect, reinforcing its utility in clinical and public health research settings.

Reliability

The SCS has consistently demonstrated high levels of **internal consistency** and reliability, evidenced across numerous validation studies since its introduction. Initial validation studies reported robust internal consistency, often yielding Cronbach’s alpha coefficients well above the standard acceptable threshold of 0.70, frequently ranging between 0.85 and 0.92.

This strong reliability suggests that the 10 items of the scale are highly coherent and effectively measure a single, unified latent construct. While test-retest reliability information is less frequently reported than internal consistency, the general stability of the construct measured by the SCS supports its use as a consistent screening instrument over time, particularly in clinical intervention studies.

Factor Analysis

Factor analysis conducted on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale overwhelmingly supports a **unidimensional structure**. This finding confirms that all 10 items load significantly onto a single underlying factor, which is interpreted as the core psychological construct of sexual compulsivity or behavioral dyscontrol related to sexual urges.

The consistent single-factor solution simplifies both the scoring and the clinical interpretation of the instrument. It allows practitioners and researchers to rely on a single total score to accurately represent the severity of compulsive sexual behavior experienced by the respondent. This stable factor structure has been replicated across various clinical samples and diverse demographic groups, solidifying the scale’s fundamental design.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-Report Questionnaire / Psychological Assessment Scale

Format: 10-item questionnaire utilizing a 4-point Likert scale.

Language Available: Primarily English (translations may exist in research settings).

Population Group: General population, clinical populations, and specific high-risk groups (e.g., HIV-positive individuals, men who have sex with men).

Age Group: Adults and adolescents (typically 18+).

Population Details: Originally validated primarily in samples of homosexually active men, the scale was later expanded and validated for use with heterosexual men and women, including those dealing with HIV status.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the extent to which each statement is like them, using the following scale:

• 1 – not at all like me
• 2 – Slightly like me
• 3 – Mainly like me
• 4 – very much like me

Keywords

Psychological Measurement, Clinical Screening, Scale Development, Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder, Likert Scale, Sexual Health Research, HIV Prevention, Self-Report

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information not provided in source.)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Information not provided in source.)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Information not provided in source.)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Sexual Compulsivity Scale was developed and initially validated in the mid-1990s (e.g., 1995 publication). It is generally considered a publicly available research instrument for non-commercial use. However, specific usage permissions should be sought from the primary authors, **Seth C. Kalichman** and **David Rompa**, for commercial or large-scale applications. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://chipcontent.chip.uconn.edu/chipweb/documents/Research/K_SexualCompulsivityScale.pdf. Further raw data related to the scale can be found at: http://personality-testing.info/_rawdata/.

Reference’s

Kalichman, S.C., Adair, V., Rompa, D., Multhauf, K., Johnson, J., and Kelly, J. (1994). Sexual Sensation-Seeking: Scale Development and Predicting AIDS-Risk Behavior Among Homosexually Active Men. Journal of Personality Assessment, 62, 385-397.

Kalichman, S.C. and Rompa, D. (1995). Sexual Sensation Seeking and Sexual Compulsivity Scales: Reliability, Validity, and Predicting HIV Risk Behaviors. Journal of Personality Assessment, 65, 586-602.

Kalichman, S.C., Greenberg, J., and Abel, G.G. (1997). Sexual Compulsivity Among HIV Positive Men Who Engage in High-Risk Sexual Behavior With Multiple Partners: An Exploratory Study. AIDS Care, 441-450.

Kalichman, Seth C. and Rompa, David. (2001). The Sexual Compulsivity Scale: Further Development and Use With HIV-Positive Persons. JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT, 76(3), 379–395.

Benotsch, E.G., Kalichman, S.C., and Kelly, J.A. (1999). Sexual Compulsivity and Substance Use in HIV Seropositive Men Who Have Sex with Men: Prevalence and Predictors of High-Risk Behaviors. Addictive Behaviors, 4, 857-868.

Benotsch, E.G., Kalichman, S.C., and Pinkerton, S.D. (2001). Sexual Compulsivity in HIV-Positive Men and Women: Prevalence, Predictors, and Consequences of High-Risk Behaviors. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: Journal of Treatment and Prevention 8, 83-99.

Items of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale

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

1. My sexual appetite has gotten in the way of my relationships.
2. My sexual thoughts and behaviors are causing problems in my life.
3. My desires to have sex have disrupted my daily life.
4. I sometimes fail to meet my commitments and responsibilities because of my sexual behaviors.
5. I sometimes get so horny I could lose control.
6. I find myself thinking about sex while at work.
7. I feel that sexual thoughts and feelings are stronger than I am.
8. I have to struggle to control my sexual thoughts and behavior.
9. I think about sex more than I would like to.
10. It has been difficult for me to find sex partners who desire ha‎ving sex as much as I want to.