Description

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA) is a psychometric instrument designed to assess an individual’s level of sexual assertiveness. Sexual assertiveness refers to the ability to communicate one’s sexual needs, desires, preferences, and personal boundaries confidently, clearly, and respectfully while recognizing and respecting the wishes and boundaries of one’s partner.

Sexual assertiveness is considered an essential component of sexual health and healthy interpersonal relationships. It is closely associated with effective sexual communication, self-esteem, sexual satisfaction, mutual consent, relationship quality, and the prevention of risky sexual behaviors. Individuals with higher levels of sexual assertiveness are generally better equipped to express their preferences, negotiate sexual activities, refuse unwanted sexual experiences, and engage in consensual and satisfying intimate relationships.

The HISA is widely used in clinical psychology, sexology, couple therapy, health psychology, behavioral sciences, and sexual health research to evaluate sexual communication skills and assertive sexual behavior across diverse populations.

Questionnaire Structure

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness consists of a series of self-report statements that assess multiple aspects of sexual assertiveness.

The instrument evaluates several key domains, including:

  • the ability to express sexual desires and preferences,
  • confidence in communicating sexual needs,
  • comfort in accepting or refusing sexual activity,
  • communication of personal sexual boundaries,
  • respect for a partner’s autonomy and consent,
  • decision-making regarding sexual behavior,
  • confidence during intimate interactions.

Participants respond using a Likert-type rating scale, indicating the degree to which each statement reflects their typical attitudes or behaviors.

Data Analysis and Applications

Analysis of the HISA involves calculating an overall sexual assertiveness score, which reflects an individual’s ability to communicate sexual needs effectively while maintaining mutual respect and healthy interpersonal boundaries.

The HISA is widely applied in:

  • clinical assessment of sexual functioning,
  • sex therapy and couple counseling,
  • sexual health research,
  • health psychology,
  • relationship and family studies,
  • evaluation of sexuality education programs,
  • research examining sexual communication, consent, and relationship quality.

Researchers frequently examine associations between HISA scores and variables such as:

  • self-esteem,
  • relationship satisfaction,
  • sexual satisfaction,
  • interpersonal communication,
  • psychological well-being,
  • sexual attitudes,
  • intimate relationship quality,
  • safe sexual practices.

The psychometric evaluation of the HISA typically includes internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test–retest reliability, construct validity, criterion validity, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to verify the instrument’s measurement properties.

Objective

The primary objective of the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness is to provide a reliable and standardized assessment of sexual assertiveness as an essential dimension of sexual health and interpersonal functioning.

More specifically, the HISA aims to:

  • evaluate individuals’ ability to express sexual needs and desires,
  • assess confidence in sexual communication,
  • examine respect for personal and partner boundaries,
  • investigate the relationship between sexual assertiveness and psychological well-being,
  • evaluate interventions designed to improve sexual communication and relationship functioning,
  • support research in sexual health, behavioral science, and clinical psychology.

Scoring

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness is typically scored using a Likert-type response scale, with respondents indicating their level of agreement with each statement.

Individual item scores are summed to produce a total sexual assertiveness score. Depending on the version of the instrument, several items may require reverse scoring before calculating the final score.

Higher scores indicate:

  • greater sexual assertiveness,
  • more effective communication of sexual needs and preferences,
  • greater confidence during sexual interactions,
  • stronger respect for mutual consent and interpersonal boundaries,
  • healthier sexual decision-making and relationship functioning.

Interpretation of the results should always follow the official scoring procedures provided for the specific version of the HISA.

Psychometric Properties

The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness demonstrates satisfactory to excellent psychometric properties across diverse clinical and non-clinical populations. Validation studies have reported good internal consistency, satisfactory test–retest reliability, robust construct validity, and meaningful associations with measures of sexual functioning, relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, psychological well-being, and interpersonal communication. Because of its strong psychometric characteristics and practical applicability, the HISA remains one of the most widely used instruments for assessing sexual assertiveness in both clinical practice and scientific research.

References

Hurlbert, D. F. (1991). The Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA): Development and Validation.

Hurlbert, D. F. (1991). The Role of Assertiveness in Female Sexual Functioning: A Comparative Study.

Morokoff, P. J., Quina, K., Harlow, L. L., Whitmire, L., Grimley, D. M., Gibson, P. R., & Burkholder, G. J. (1997). Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS) for Women: Development and Validation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(4), 790–804.

Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E., & Kolodny, R. C. (1995). Human Sexuality. HarperCollins.