Skip to main content
Log in

The GRISS: A psychometric instrument for the assessment of sexual dysfunction

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) is a short 28-item questionnaire for assessing the existence and severity of sexual problems. The design, construction, and item analysis of the GRISS are described. The two separate male and female scales are shown to have high split-half reliabilities of 0.94 for women and 0.87 for men. Validation of change scores in the GRISS on 30 clinical couples, before and after therapy, showed correlations with therapists' blind ratings of 0.54 (p <0.001)for men and 0.43 (p <0.01)for women. Discriminatory validity between clinical (n =69)and nonclinical (n =59)groups was r =0.63 for women and r =0.37 for men. The 12 subscales of impotence, premature ejaculation, anorgasmia, vaginismus, noncommunication, infrequency, male and female avoidance, male and female nonsensuality, and male and female dissatisfaction are also shown to have good reliability and validity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bancroft, J., Tyrer, J., and Warner, P. (1982). The classification of sexual problems in women.Brit. J. Sex. Med. 9: 30–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennun, I., Rust, J., and Golombok, S. (1985). The effects of material therapy on sexual dysfunction.Scand. J. Behav. Ther. 14: 65–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conte, H. R. (1983). Development and use of Self-Report Techniques for assessing sexual functioning: A review and critique.Arch. Sex. Behav. 12: 555–576.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. R., and Melisaratos, N. (1979). The DSFI: A multidimensional measure of sexual functioning.J. Sex. Mar. Therap. 5: 244–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golombok, S., Rust, J., and Pickard, C. (1985). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the general population.Brit. J. Sex. Med. 11: 171–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harbison, J. J. M., Graham, P., Quinn, J. T., MacAllister, H., and Woodward, R. (1974). A questionnaire measure of sexual interest.Arch. Sex. Behav. 3: 357–366.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., and Martin, C. E. (1948).Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Saunders, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., and Gebhard, P. (1953).Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Saunders, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • LoPiccolo, J., and Steger, J. (1974). The sexual interaction inventory: A new instrument for assessment of sexual dysfunctionArch. Sex. Behav. 3: 585–595.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masters, W. H., and Johnson, V. E. (1979).Human Sexual Inadequacy. Churchill, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust, J., and Golombok, S. (1983).The Handbook of the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction. City Press of Glasgow, Scotland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust, J., and Golombok, S. (1985a). The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).Brit. J. Clin. Psychol. 24: 63–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust, J., and Golombok, S. (1985b).The Handbook of the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (2nd ed. N.F.E.R., Winsor, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne, F. C. (1966). The Sex Inventory.J. Clin. Psychol. 22: 367–374.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rust, J., Golombok, S. The GRISS: A psychometric instrument for the assessment of sexual dysfunction. Arch Sex Behav 15, 157–165 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542223

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542223

Key words

Navigation