Scale Overview
The Self-Perceptions of Female Sexuality Survey Instrument – Frequency and Needs Subscales (SPFSSI-FN) was developed by J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr., Carol A. Darling (1986). It is designed to measure Female sexual self-perceptions, orgasmic frequency, and sexual needs. The scale is intended for use with Adult women (specifically college-educated, aged 25 or older).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 7 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Orgasmic Frequency, Orgasmic Needs.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Orgasmic Frequency |
1,2,3 |
3 |
| Orgasmic Needs |
4,5,6,7 |
4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Almost Always, 5 = Always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 7 to 35. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Frequency / Low Need: 7 – 16
- Moderate Frequency / Moderate Need: 17 – 26
- High Frequency / High Need: 27 – 35
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Test-retest reliability not established.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.