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Sex expert publishes test for sexual problems

Newswise — After more than 10 years of research and tweaking, a Texas Tech psychologist has developed a 70-question sex test that can more accurately help in diagnosis of sexual difficulties and even addictive and compulsive behavior for the general population.

Sheila Garos is an associate professor of psychology and director of the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program at Texas Tech who specializes in sex and couples therapy.

She said that the test measures mental conflict and shame about one’s sexual activities or sexuality, sexual obsession, values about sexual issues and comfort with sexual arousal.

The test, formally called the Garos Sexual Behavior Inventory, was published by Western Psychological Services, a company specializing in psychology books, software and therapy tools.

Though the test should not be the only factor when making diagnoses, it does effectively help to pinpoint problem areas such as sexual disorders, dysfunctions or compulsive sexual behaviors – an area which is hard to measure. Also, instead of finding applications in only one subgroup, the test can be used meaningfully with multiple groups, she said.

“I think what sets this test apart is that it’s not targeted at one single group,” Garos said.

“This test is not restricted for use with any one clinical group, such as people with sexual dysfunctions or sex offenders. The GSBI was normed on the general population. As a result, it has a greater clinical utility. It can tell you if you have a client that you should investigate more thoroughly with regard to his or her sexual behavior.”