Description

The Sexual Interaction System Scale (SISS) is a self-report psychometric instrument designed to assess the quality of sexual interaction within heterosexual couples and to identify specific aspects associated with sexual difficulties and dysfunctions.

The questionnaire is completed individually by each partner, allowing the assessment of both individual perceptions and couple-level interaction patterns. The SISS evaluates not only sexual functioning but also broader relational processes that influence sexual satisfaction and intimacy.

The scale consists of 48 statements distributed across five main dimensions:

Sexual Functioning, which evaluates aspects of sexual response, including desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual pain.

Attitudinal Set, which examines beliefs, attitudes, and maturity of perceptions regarding sexuality and sexual relationships.

Nonsexual Interaction, which assesses interpersonal dynamics outside sexual activity, including conflicts, communication patterns, and general relationship functioning.

Interaction Coordination, which evaluates synchronization, communication, and cooperation between partners during sexual activity.

Postsexual Interaction, which examines emotional closeness, satisfaction, and relational experiences following sexual contact.

Each item is rated on a six-point scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates “not at all,” “never,” or “does not occur in our relationship,” while 5 indicates “always” or “occurs in our relationship.”

Objective

The primary objective of the SISS is to provide a systematic assessment of the couple’s experience during sexual interaction and identify factors that may contribute to sexual satisfaction or sexual distress.

The instrument aims to evaluate sexual functioning, emotional and relational dynamics, attitudes toward sexuality, coordination during sexual activity, and the quality of postsexual emotional connection.

The SISS can be used in clinical settings involving couples experiencing sexual dysfunctions, relationship difficulties, or sexual distress, as well as in premarital counselling and relationship enrichment programs.

Structure and Content

The SISS evaluates sexual interaction through five interconnected dimensions.

The Sexual Functioning dimension focuses on physiological and behavioural aspects of sexual activity, including sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and discomfort or pain.

The Attitudinal Set dimension examines the cognitive and emotional framework through which individuals understand and experience sexuality.

The Nonsexual Interaction dimension explores the quality of the broader relationship, including communication, conflicts, and emotional exchanges outside sexual activity.

The Interaction Coordination dimension evaluates the partners’ ability to communicate and coordinate effectively during sexual experiences.

The Postsexual Interaction dimension assesses emotional responses after sexual activity, including feelings of closeness, satisfaction, or distance between partners.

Scoring

Each individual can obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 225 points.

Higher scores indicate more positive sexual interaction and healthier couple functioning.

The maximum scores for each dimension are:

Sexual Functioning: 50 points

Attitudinal Set: 35 points

Nonsexual Interaction: 60 points

Interaction Coordination: 30 points

Postsexual Interaction: 50 points

Certain items require reverse scoring before calculating the final scores.

Individual scores are used to assess each partner’s perception, while the total couple score is calculated by combining both partners’ individual scores.

Data Analysis and Use

The SISS provides information regarding individual and couple-level patterns in sexual and relational functioning.

The individual profile can be used to identify specific difficulties related to sexual response, attitudes toward sexuality, communication, coordination, or relationship conflicts.

Scores may be compared with normative data from nonclinical couples and with samples of couples experiencing sexual dysfunction.

Low scores indicate potential difficulties in sexual interaction, while significant differences between partners’ scores may highlight areas of disagreement, unmet needs, or relational disharmony.

In clinical practice, the SISS supports targeted therapeutic interventions by identifying specific areas requiring attention, such as improving communication, resolving nonsexual conflicts, enhancing sexual coordination, or strengthening emotional intimacy.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis of SISS data may include descriptive statistics to evaluate individual and couple profiles across the five dimensions.

Reliability analysis using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient may be conducted to assess internal consistency of the total scale and its subscales.

Factor analysis may be applied to examine the structural organization of the five-factor model.

Correlation and regression analyses may investigate relationships between sexual interaction quality and variables such as relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, communication quality, and sexual distress.

Comparative analyses may examine differences between clinical and nonclinical couples or evaluate changes following therapeutic interventions.

Validity

The validity of the SISS is supported by its multidimensional assessment approach, which considers both sexual functioning and relationship processes involved in sexual interaction.

The instrument allows evaluation of sexual difficulties within the broader context of couple dynamics rather than focusing exclusively on physiological aspects of sexual dysfunction.

Reliability

The reliability of the SISS has been examined through psychometric evaluation of its dimensions.

Internal consistency analysis is used to determine whether items within each factor consistently measure the intended aspects of sexual interaction and couple functioning.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Schnarch, D. M. (1991). Constructing the Sexual Crucible. New York: Norton.

Verhulst, J., & Heiman, J. (1979). An interactional approach to sexual dysfunction. American Journal of Family Therapy, 7(4), 19–36.

Woody, J. D. (1992). Treatment for Sexual Distress: Integrative Systems Therapy. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Woody, J. D., & D’Souza, H. J. (1994). The Sexual Interaction System Scale: A new inventory for assessing sexual dysfunction and sexual distress. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 20, 210–228.