An inventory for the measurement of female sexual arousability: The SAI

Description is given of a self-report Sexual Arousability Inventory (SAI) developed for use with women in sexual therapy concerned with sexual dysfunction. 28 erotic experiences, factor loaded along 5 underlying dimensions (foreplay, vicarious arousal with media stimuli, breast stimulation, preparation prior to & participation in intercourse, & genital stimulation by or of partner), were rated on a 7-point Likert type scale to arrive at a sum score of sexual arousability. Validation & cross-validation samples (N=151; N=134), a 131-item pool for selection of valid items, & split-half/test-retest coefficients of reliability were assessed. Ease of administration & scoring, use across marital statuses & sexual preferences, & provision of norms & alternate forms enhance the SAI for clinical use & for future research. Because the samples used for validation & cross-validation were comprised of Mc & UMc North American women, applicability for use with women from other SES & ethnic origins must be established. 3 Tables. T. Babitsky.