The SexFlex Scale: A Measure of Sexual Script Flexibility When Approaching Sexual Problems in a Relationship

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to develop a measure of sexual script flexibility when approaching a sexual problem in a relationship. A series of online studies were conducted with individuals in relationships. As one subscale on the two-factor model had poor convergent and discriminant validity, a final single factor scale with 6-items was retained. The single factor scale demonstrated good model fit, high internal reliability, adequate convergent and discriminant validity, and moderate test re-test reliability. These results support the SexFlex scale as a reliable and psychometrically sound assessment of an individual.s flexibility in approaching a sexual problem.

Associations Between Pornography Consumption, Sexual Flexibility, and Sexual Functioning Among Austrian Adults

“…The SexFlex Scale (Gauvin & Pukall, 2018 ) assessed participants’ sexual flexibility when sexual problems occurred. Participants were asked how easily they “adaptively change [their] thoughts and behaviors in response to a sexual problem” (Gauvin & Pukall, 2018 , p. 385).…”

“…The SexFlex Scale (Gauvin & Pukall, 2018) assessed participants' sexual flexibility when sexual problems occurred.…”

“…The current study expands the current literature by examining the associations between pornography consumption and sexual functioning in an Austrian sample of women and men. Based on consumers' self-perceived effects of their pornography consumption (Daneback et al, 2009;Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Weinberg et al, 2010), in the current study, it was hypothesized that pornography consumption would be associated with greater sexual flexibility (Gauvin & Pukall, 2018) and that, in turn, greater sexual flexibility would be linked with greater sexual functioning.…”

“…Thus, having alternative sexual scripts to the preferred sexual activity or being open to trying out new sexual activities may help people switch to alternative (rewarding) sexual behavior when sexual problems arise (e.g., the preferred method of stimulation does not result in the expected sexual arousal). The current study analyzed whether such so-called sexual flexibility (Gauvin & Pukall, 2018 ) would mediate the association between sexual functioning and pornography consumption. Namely, we expected a link between increased pornography consumption and increased sexual flexibility.…”

Sexual Health and the Pandemic Crisis: Testing the Role of Psychological Vulnerability/Protective Factors on Sexual Functioning and Sexual Distress During a Critical Life Period in Portugal

“…Finally, although this study did not assess the rigidity/inflexibility of the sexual beliefs, it may be that besides its content, the level of rigidity of the beliefs plays also a role in predicting sexual functioning and distress. Recent findings suggest that psychological inflexibility is associated with lower relationship satisfaction (Daks & Rogge, 2020) and that flexibility sexual scripts are linked to sexual satisfaction and lowered sexual distress (Gauvin & Pukall, 2018).…”