Portuguese version of Cues for Sexual Desire Scale: the influence of relationship duration

It is well established that sexual desire is a triggered response to effective sexual stimuli. Factors that trigger women's sexual desire can change over time and circumstances. The Cues for Sexual Desire Scale (CSDS) is a valuable assessment tool to measure the range and magnitude of such stimuli.

To investigate the psychometric properties of CSDS within a Portuguese community sample of women; to examine the influence of relationship duration on CSDS scores.

Portuguese women (N=3,687) over age 18 completed a web-based survey of previously pilot-tested items. Main Outcome Measures.  Factor structure and internal consistency of CSDS scores; differences between women in longer-term (more than five years) and shorter-term (less than three years) relationships; predictors of CSDS scores.

A factor analysis revealed a difference in factor structure between the Portuguese and the original (English) version of CSDS. A five factor solution explained 58.3% of the total variance. The CSDS demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's = 0.913). All subscales had α values greater than 0.85. Women in longer-term relationships had significantly fewer cues for sexual desire (M = 124) compared to women in shorter-term relationships (M = 128), t(1,879) = 3.7, P < 0.001. Older women (β = -0.075; P < 0.001), and longer term relationships (β = -0.056; P < 0.05), were significant predictors of lower CSDS-P scores. Additionally, women who masturbated (β = 0.172; P < 0.001) and reached orgasm easily (β = 0.059; P < 0.001) had higher scores for CSDS-P.

The CSDS is a useful instrument for identifying triggers that facilitate sexual desire in Portuguese women. Women in longer-term relationships reported fewer cues compared to women in shorter-term relationships. This has clinical implications and suggests that encouraging women to consider newer and varied cues that might evoke or enhance sexual desire may be one means of addressing concerns with low sexual desire.