Revised Sexual Self-Disclosure Scale – RSSDS
Measures the extent to which individuals discuss various sexual topics, feelings, and attitudes with an intimate partner.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Revised Sexual Self-Disclosure Scale – RSSDS was developed by William E. Snell, Jr., Sharyn S. Belk, Dennis R. Papini, & Stephen Clark (1989). It is designed to measure Sexual Self-Disclosure. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 72 items organized into 24 factors/subscales: sexual behaviors, sexual sensations, sexual fantasies, sexual preferences, meaning of sex, sexual accountability, distressing sex, sexual dishonesty, sexual delay preferences, abortion and pregnancy, homosexuality, rape, AIDS, sexual morality, sexual satisfaction, sexual guilt, sexual calmness, sexual depression, sexual jealousy, sexual apathy, sexual anxiety, sexual happiness, sexual anger, sexual fear.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| sexual behaviors | 1,5,9 | 3 |
| sexual sensations | 2,6,10 | 3 |
| sexual fantasies | 3,7,11 | 3 |
| sexual preferences | 4,8,12 | 3 |
| meaning of sex | 13,18,23 | 3 |
| sexual accountability | 14,19,24 | 3 |
| distressing sex | 15,20,25 | 3 |
| sexual dishonesty | 16,21,26 | 3 |
| sexual delay preferences | 17,22,27 | 3 |
| abortion and pregnancy | 28,33,38 | 3 |
| homosexuality | 29,34,39 | 3 |
| rape | 30,35,40 | 3 |
| AIDS | 31,36,41 | 3 |
| sexual morality | 32,37,42 | 3 |
| sexual satisfaction | 43,53,63 | 3 |
| sexual guilt | 44,54,64 | 3 |
| sexual calmness | 45,55,65 | 3 |
| sexual depression | 46,56,66 | 3 |
| sexual jealousy | 47,57,67 | 3 |
| sexual apathy | 48,58,68 | 3 |
| sexual anxiety | 49,59,69 | 3 |
| sexual happiness | 50,60,70 | 3 |
| sexual anger | 51,61,71 | 3 |
| sexual fear | 52,62,72 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = I have not discussed this topic with an intimate partner, 2 = I have slightly discussed this topic with an intimate partner, 3 = I have moderately discussed this topic with an intimate partner, 4 = I have mostly discussed this topic with an intimate partner, 5 = I have fully discussed this topic with an intimate partner.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 3 to 15. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Disclosure: 3 – 6
- Moderate Disclosure: 7 – 11
- High Disclosure: 12 – 15
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.