Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women: a study with Portuguese women with and without sexual difficulties

Abstract

Sexual satisfaction is considered a sexual health indicator, closely linked to sexual distress, and subsequently, to sexual problems, in women. The Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W) was developed for assessing sexual satisfaction and distress in women, and principal component analysis support a five-factor structure (Contentment, Communication, Compatibility, Relational Concern, and Personal Concern). Our goal was to translate and validate the SSS-W for Portuguese women. For that purpose, participants completed the SSS-W, the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. A sample constituted by 329 women was collected through an online survey (56 women with sexual difficulties according to the FSFI cutoff score). According to confirmatory factor analysis, a five-factor model fits the Portuguese version of the SSS-W, which supports the original factorial structure. Reliability, as well as concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity have shown good to excellent values. In sum, Portuguese version of the SSS-W provides relevant clinical information on sexual satisfaction, namely communication, contentment, and compatibility dimensions, as well as concerns on personal and relational topics. Moreover, current findings suggested that the Portuguese version of the SSS-W presented adequate psychometric properties and its use as valid and reliable measure for assessing sexual satisfaction in women is recommended.