Sexual cognitions are an idiosyncratic element of human sexuality. They are defined as mental images capable of eliciting sexual arousal. These thoughts can emerge either voluntarily or involuntarily, and they are not necessarily experienced as pleasant. For this reason, a distinction is made between positive sexual cognitions (PSC) experienced as acceptable, enjoyable, and pleasurable, and negative sexual cognitions (NSC), which are perceived as unacceptable, unpleasant, and non-pleasurable.
Various sociodemographic variables—such as gender, age, educational level, relationship status, or relationship length—as well as several dimensions of human sexuality—such as sexual functioning—may be related to the frequency and content of these cognitions. To explore these associations, it is essential to have psychometrically sound instruments that can accurately assess individual differences and enable valid comparisons across groups.
A recent study published by Carlos Pérez-Amorós, Juan Carlos Sierra, Óscar Cervilla, and María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology presents the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Sexual Cognitions Checklist (SCC). This unique instrument simultaneously assesses the frequency of both PSC and NSC. The research involved over 2,000 cisgender heterosexual adults, aged between 18 and 79 years.
Findings support the reliability and validity of the SCC scores in the Spanish population. The instrument consistently assesses different sociodemographic groups based on age, educational level, relationship status, and relationship length, ensuring valid and unbiased comparisons across groups. Regarding gender, a few cognitions appeared to be interpreted differently by men and women (e.g., "Engaging in sexual activity contrary to my sexual orientation"), and their exclusion is recommended when comparing gender-based scores. Additionally, differences in the frequency of sexual cognitions were observed based on the variables analyzed, especially concerning age and, more notably, gender: men reported more frequent PSC, while women reported more frequent NSC.
One of the most important findings was the association between PSC and better sexual functioning in both men and women. That is, a higher frequency of PSC was related to greater desire, arousal, and sexual physiological response (i.e., erection or lubrication). The study suggests that intimate PSC (i.e., involving the pursuit of sexual pleasure and enjoyment through commitment to a sexual partner) are the most relevant cognitions for optimal sexual functioning. Conversely, NSC—especially those involving sadomasochistic content (i.e., related to dominance and/or submission behaviors and roles) in both men and women, as well as intimate NSC in women—were associated with poorer sexual functioning. Aditionaly, a negative association was also found between exploratory PSC (e.g., focused on sexual variety) and erection in men. Overall, the physiological component (i.e., erection and lubrication) showed the weakest associations with the sexual cognition domain.
In sum, this study provides a solid foundation for considering the SCC as a reliable, useful, and recommended instrument for researchers and clinicians working in the field of sexual health in Spain
Reference
Pérez-Amorós, C., Sierra, J. C., Cervilla, O. y Sánchez-Fuentes, M. M. (2025). Examining the reliability and sources of validity evidence of the Sexual Cognitions Checklist. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 25, Artículo 100605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100605
Contact
Carlos Pérez-Amorós - amoroscp@ugr.es