title: Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) in a Sample of Lesbian and Bisexual Women.
abstract: The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) assesses propensities for sexual excitation (SE) and inhibition (SI). Previous research utilizing the SESII-W included samples comprised exclusively or almost entirely of heterosexual women. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the SESII-W and assess its relation to aspects of sexual function within a sample of lesbian and bisexual women. The sample included 974 self-identified bisexual (n = 733) or lesbian/homosexual (n = 241) women who completed an online survey including items assessing women's sexual behaviors, feelings, and functioning, sociodemographics, and the SESII-W. The sample was split; exploratory factor analyses were conducted on the first half, yielding eight lower-order factors with two higher-order factors. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the second half and suggested reasonable model fit. SI was positively correlated with sexual problems and negatively correlated with sexual pleasure; the correlations were significant but small. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between SESII-W scores and sexual problems/sexual pleasure, controlling for age, relationship duration, and relationship status. Four lower-order factors predicted reports of sexual problems. Findings indicated the SESII-W has similar psychometric properties among sexual minority women as it does among heterosexual women.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation , University of Arkansas.|b The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University.
authors.forename: Kristen N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Jozkowski
authors.affiliation: b The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University.|c Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention , Indiana University.|d Department of Gender Studies , Indiana University.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation , University of Arkansas.
authors.forename: Kelley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rhoads
authors.affiliation: b The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University.|c Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention , Indiana University.|e Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition , University of Guelph.
authors.forename: Robin R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Milhausen
authors.affiliation: b The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University.|c Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention , Indiana University.|f Department of Psychology , University of Southampton.
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult