Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI)

Description: A multi-dimensional measure of current level of sexual functioning [1].

Format: 254 items arranged into 10 sub-tests. Each sub-test measures a specific aspect of sexuality: information on sexuality, participant’s sexual experience, attitude toward sexual activity and relationships, sexual drive, psychological symptoms, affect, gender role definition, sexual fantasies, body image, and sexual satisfaction.

Scoring: Scoring formats vary from yes/no answers to multiple-point Likert scales. Two scores are calculated:

1. The Sexual Functioning Index (SFI), which is the total or global summary score of the DSFI and yields the respondent’s quality of sexual functioning in psychometric terms. It is calculated as a direct unweighted linear combination of the 10 subset dimension scores. Subset scores are first transformed into area t-scores (M= 50, SD= 10) before summing to yield the SFI.
2. The Global Sexual Satisfaction Index (GSSI), which reflects subjective perception of sexual behaviour. Quality of sexual functioning is represented on a 9-point scale ranging from 0 (could not be worse) to 8 (could not be better). Descriptors are provided for each point of the scale.

Administration and Burden: Self-administered.

Psychometrics for SCI: None available.

Languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Indian, Korean, Norwegian, Spanish, Turkish.

QoL Concept: The DSFI is a measure of sexual functioning, which corresponds to Boxes C (achievements) and E (subjective well-being) of Dijker’s Model.

Permissions/Where to Obtain: Copyrighted; The DSFI is distributed exclusively by Clinical Psychometric Research Inc. at http://www.derogatis-tests.com/.

**CLICK ON THE LISTED SECONDARY HEALTH CONDITIONS ON THE RIGHT TO READ HOW THE DSFI HAS BEEN USED WITH A PARTICULAR CONDITION**

References:

1. Derogatis L. Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory. Baltimore: Clinical Psychometrics; 1975.