• The SIS scale measures sexual adjustment after SCI. It was designed to assess different aspects of sexuality before and after injury (Siosteen et al. 1990). 

Number of items: 7

Procedure/Administration: The SIS is self-administered then checked by personal interview. Four items determine the impact SCI had on sexuality and sexual function using a 4-point response scale (increased=3, unchanged=2, decreased=1, and absent=0). The remaining 3 questions assess general satisfaction before and after injury, using a modified 7-point visual analogue scale (ranging from very dissatisfied (1) to very satisfied (7)).

How scored: The scores for the 3 satisfaction items are rescaled to a range of 0 to 3 in order to enable calculation of a composite score. The composite score is a sum of 6 items and has a maximum value of 18 and a minimum value of 0.  

Interpretability: Achieving a high score on the SIS illustrates greater sexual adjustment while a lower scorer demonstrates poor sexual adjustments after SCI. There are no known cut points or norms to assist with interpretation.

Acceptability: The SIS was developed for use in the SCI population. It provides a quick review of the individual’s sexual experiences, while factoring in their pre-injury state.

Languages: N/a

Usability: The type of SCI needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting the results. Sexual adjustment for those with incomplete injuries may differ considerably when compared to complete injuries. Items should be acceptable to both males and females though items may seem personal and embarrassing to some.

Time to administer: Administration and scoring requires approximately 5 minutes.

Time to score: Administration and scoring requires approximately 5 minutes.

Training required: N/a

Availability: N/a

Equipment required: N/a

Summary:

• The SIS provides a reasonably well defined spinal cord specific measure that may be useful in eliciting information regarding a sensitive area.
• Although it has not been widely used and psychometric properties have been reported by only one study, it is one of few sexuality scales that have been used within the SCI population.

Psychometric Summary

Note: TR= Test re-test; IC= Internal Consistency; Inter-O= Inter-observer; Intra-O= Intra-observer; SS= Sensitivity/Specificity; N/a= No information.

Red light= A single study involving SCI subjects which has less than adequate findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

Yellow light= A single study involving subjects with SCI which has adequate to excellent findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

Green light= At least 2 studies involving subjects with SCI which have adequate to excellent findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

References

• Siosteen A, Lundqvist C, Blomstrand C, Sullivan L, Sullivan M. Sexual ability, activity, attitudes and satisfaction as part of adjustment in spinal cord-injured subjects. Paraplegia 1990;8:285-295.