The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function

This article presents the development of a brief self-report measure of fem ale sexual function. Initial face validity testing of questionnaire items, identified by an expert panel, was followed by, a study aimed at further re fining the questionnaire. It was administered to 131 normal controls and 12 8 age-matched subjects With female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) at five r esearch centers. Based on clinical interpretations of a principal component s analysis, a 6-domain structure was identified, which included desire, sub jective arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Overall test- retest reliability coefficients were high for each of the individual domain s (r = 0.79 to 0.86) and a high degree of internal consistency was was obse rved (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.82 and higher) Good construct validity w as demonstrated by highly significant mean difference scores between the FS AD and control groups for each oft he domains (p less than or equal to 0.00 1). Additionally, divergent validity with a scale of marital satisfaction w as observed. These results support the reliability and psychometric (ns wel l as clinical) validity of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in the a ssessment of key dimensions of female sexual function in clinical and noncl inical samples. Our findings also suggest important gender differences in t he patterning of female sexual function in comparison with similar question naire studies in males.