Sexual Interaction System Scale – SISS
Measures the quality of a heterosexual couple's sexual interaction across five systemic factors.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Sexual Interaction System Scale – SISS was developed by Jane D. Woody and Henry J. D’Souza (1994). It is designed to measure Couples’ sexual interaction quality. The scale is intended for use with Heterosexual couples.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 7 items organized into 5 factors/subscales: Sexual Functioning, Attitudinal Set, Nonsexual Interaction, Interaction Coordination, Postsexual Interaction.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Functioning | 3,4 | 2 |
| Attitudinal Set | 2 | 1 |
| Nonsexual Interaction | 5 | 1 |
| Interaction Coordination | 1,6 | 2 |
| Postsexual Interaction | 7 | 1 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = None or never / Does not occur in our relationship, 1 = Rarely, 2 = Occasionally, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, 5 = Extremely high or always / Always occurs in our relationship.
The scale includes 5 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 225. Interpretation guidelines:
- Individual score range (higher scores indicate more positive sexual interaction): 0 – 225
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of High internal consistency across the five factors.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.