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Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale
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About Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale
Scale Name
Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale
Author Details
Cheryl A. McGahuey, Alan J. Gelenberg, Caryl A. Laukes, Francisco A. Moreno, Pedro L. Delgado, K. Michael McKnight, and Rachel Manber
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) is a concise self-report instrument designed to assess sexual dysfunction across multiple dimensions, making it a valuable tool in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Developed in 2000 by Cheryl A. McGahuey and colleagues, the ASEX was created to address the need for a standardized, easy-to-use measure that evaluates sexual function in individuals, particularly those experiencing dysfunction due to mental health conditions, medications, or other medical issues. Its development was motivated by the recognition that sexual dysfunction is a common yet often underreported concern, especially among patients treated with psychotropic medications like antidepressants.
The ASEX consists of five items, each targeting a core aspect of sexual function: sexual drive, arousal, penile erection/vaginal lubrication, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. Respondents rate each item on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = “extremely strong/functioning” to 6 = “no function/absent”), with total scores ranging from 5 to 30; higher scores indicate greater dysfunction. Designed for use by both men and women, the scale’s gender-neutral phrasing ensures broad applicability. Its brevity and clarity make it ideal for clinical settings, where it can screen for dysfunction, guide treatment discussions, or monitor changes, such as side effects from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or improvements following therapy.
Psychologists and clinicians appreciate the ASEX for its straightforward approach, which encourages honest reporting while respecting patient sensitivity around sexual health. Validated with diverse populations, including psychiatric and non-psychiatric samples, it offers a reliable way to integrate sexual health into mental health care. Its translations enhance its global utility, enabling professionals to address a critical yet often overlooked aspect of well-being with precision and empathy.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale from a trusted source, such as peer-reviewed journals or authorized psychological publishers, ensuring ethical use.
- Explain the purpose of the ASEX to the respondent, noting that it assesses sexual function to better understand their experiences and inform care, while ensuring confidentiality.
- Provide instructions, asking the respondent to rate each of the five statements based on their experiences over the past week, using the 1-6 scale, and to answer candidly.
- Approximate time for completion is about 2-5 minutes, owing to its concise format and clear questions.
- Administer the scale in a private, comfortable setting, via paper or digital formats, to foster openness and minimize discomfort.
Reliability and Validity
The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale demonstrates strong psychometric properties, supporting its use in clinical and research contexts. Internal consistency is high, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.85 to 0.90, indicating cohesive measurement across its five items. Test-retest reliability is robust, with correlations of 0.80-0.89 over short intervals in stable populations, reflecting consistent scores when no intervention occurs.
Convergent validity is evidenced by significant correlations with other sexual function measures, such as the Brief Sexual Function Inventory (r = 0.65-0.75). Discriminant validity is supported by weaker associations with unrelated constructs, like general anxiety (r < 0.35), ensuring specificity to sexual dysfunction. Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to identify dysfunction in clinical groups (e.g., patients on SSRIs) versus controls and its sensitivity to changes, such as increased dysfunction with medication initiation or improvement with dose adjustments. These qualities, as reported by McGahuey et al. (2000), affirm the ASEX’s precision and utility.
Available Versions
05-Items
Reference
A. McGahuey, Alan J. Gelenberg, Cindi A. Laukes, Francisco A. Moreno, Pedro L. Delgado, Kathy M. McKnight, Rachel Manber, C. (2000). The Arizona sexual experience scale (ASEX): reliability and validity. Journal of Sex &Marital Therapy, 26(1), 25-40.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ASEX measure?
It measures sexual dysfunction in drive, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction.
Who can use the ASEX?
Clinicians and researchers assessing sexual health in clinical settings.
How long does the ASEX take to complete?
It takes about 2-5 minutes.
Is the ASEX suitable for both genders?
Yes, it’s designed for men and women with gender-neutral items.
Can the ASEX detect medication side effects?
Yes, it’s sensitive to dysfunction caused by drugs like SSRIs.
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