Sexual Boredom Index (SBI)

Description

The Sexual Boredom Index (SBI; de Oliveira et al., 2025) is a 6-item instrument developed to measure sexual boredom as a temporary and context-dependent state. The items were initially drafted based on data from a qualitative study by de Oliveira et al. (2021), which explored definitions of sexual boredom within an online community sample. The initial item list was generated using language expressed by participants in the qualitative findings. A panel of three experts iteratively refined the wording of the items through multiple rounds of discussion. This collaborative process resulted in an initial set of 10 items. The SBI was administered online to adults in the United States, who reported on their sexual experiences over the past month. Exploratory confirmatory factor analysis supported a single-factor model, leading to the retention of 6 items. Reliability and validity results have been reported.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the SBI is to assess sexual boredom as a transient experience.

Instrument

• Test Type: Original

• Format: This measure employs a 5-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

• Language Available: English

• Population Group: Human; Male; Female

• Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs); Thirties (30-39 yrs); Middle Age (40-64 yrs); Aged (65 yrs & older); Very Old (85 yrs & older)

• Population Details: The SBI was administered to adults aged 18-94, residing in the United States. The study included individuals who reported various gender identities.

• Test Methodology: The test methodology includes Test Validity, Discriminant Validity, Test Reliability, Internal Consistency, Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Exploratory Factor Analysis.

Reliability

The SBI demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s α of .88.

Validity

The SBI has demonstrated evidence of discriminant validity. It shows significant negative correlations with sexual pleasure and well-being. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between the SBI scores and attention difficulties and impulsivity, suggesting a link between sexual boredom and ADHD.

Factor Analysis

• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA): An initial EFA, which included all 10 items, suggested that a 2-factor model best fit the data. However, most items loaded onto factor 1, with only items 3 and 6 loading onto factor 2. Due to the performance of items 3 and 6 (low inter-item correlations with other items, lower item-total remainder score, and loading onto their own factor), these items were excluded from further analysis, and the EFA was conducted again. The results of the second EFA indicated that a single-factor solution was the best fit for the data, with all items loading significantly onto the single factor above the .40 threshold.

• Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA): The initial model did not fit the data well. Modification indices suggested strong covariance between items 9 and 10 and between items 4 and 5. Consequently, items 10 and 5 were removed from the model, resulting in a 10-item scale. Overall, the model fit was adequate for most indices, including CFI, TLI, and SRMR, but slightly below adequate for RMSEA.

Keywords

Sexual Boredom, State Measure, Context-Dependent State, Boredom, Sexual Attitudes, Sex and Gender Measures, Emotional State Measures.

Authors

• de Oliveira, Leonor; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9903-8046; Medical School, University of Minnesota; Email: [email protected]

• Rham-Knigge, Ryan; Medical School, University of Minnesota

• Ford, Jessie; Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University

• Coleman, Eli; Medical School, University of Minnesota

• Mark, Kristen; Medical School, University of Minnesota

Correspondence Address:
de Oliveira, Leonor: University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55415, [email protected]

Email: [email protected]
Files: No data is Available

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

• Commercial: No

• Fee: No

• Test Year: 2025

• Permissions: Contact Publisher

References

de Oliveira, L., Rham-Knigge, R., Ford, J., Coleman, E., & Mark, K. (2025). Sexual Boredom Inventory (SBI): Development and initial validation. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 51(1), 74–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2024.2442944

Items of the Sexual Boredom Index

Instructions: Please reflect on your sexual activities over the past month. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements using the scale below.

1 = Strongly disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither agree nor disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly agree

1. Felt bored when having sex

2. Experienced sex as monotonous

3. Wished sex were more interesting

4. Experienced sex as mechanical

5. Felt disconnected during sex

6. Had sex because it was routine