We describe across three studies (N = 628) the development and initial
validation of the Sexual Boredom Scale (SBS) a self-report measure of
the tendency to experience boredom with the sexual aspects of one's l
ife. The 18-item scale demonstrates high internal consistency (rs = .9
2 to .95) and one-month test-retest (r = .81) reliability. Validity ev
idence for the SBS is supported by positive correlations with the foll
owing measures: the Sexual-Depression and Sexual-Preoccupation subscal
es of the Sexuality Scale (Snell & Papini, 1989); the Index of Sexual
Satisfaction, a measure of dyadic sexual discord (Hudson, Harrison, &
Crosscup, 1981); the Boredom Proneness Scale (Farmer & Sundberg, 1986)
; and the Boredom Susceptibility, Experience Seeking, and Disinhibitio
n. subscales of the Sensation Seeking Scale (Zuckerman, 1979). The SBS
was nonsignificantly correlated with sexual esteem, thrill and advent
ure seeking, and social desirability, and negatively associated with g
lobal life satisfaction. Overall, men possessed significantly greater
sexual boredom scores than did women. Age differences, clinical applic
ations, and directions for future study are discussed.