SELF-REPORT ASSESSMENT OF FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTION - PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE BRIEF INDEX OF SEXUAL FUNCTIONING FOR WOMEN

Previous self-report measures of female sexual function have been eith er overly restrictive or inappropriate for use in large-scale clinical trials. Accordingly, we have developed the Brief Index of Sexual Func tioning for women (BISF-W), a 22-item, self-report instrument for the assessment of current levels of female sexual functioning and satisfac tion. The BISF-W was administered at monthly intervals to a standardiz ation sample of 269 women, ages 20-73 years. A principal components an alysis yielded a three-factor solution-interest/desire, sexual activit y, and satisfaction-which accounted for 51.2% of the variance. Concurr ent validity was demonstrated by means of a comparison with the Deroga tis Sexual Function Inventory. In addition, the BISF-W was compared to the Brief Sexual Function Questionnaire, a similar self-report measur e of sexual functioning for men. Major advantages of the BISF-W are it s ease of administration and scoring, suitability for use in both clin ical and nonclinical samples, and assessment of key dimensions of fema le sexuality. However, based on its moderate test-retest reliability a nd internal consistency, further development of the instrument is indi cated.