The predictive validity of SIS/SES and BIS/BAS scores for sexual and non-sexual risk behavior

• Generic and sexual activation/inhibition proneness predict sexual risk behavior.
• The correlations of SIS/SES and BIS/BAS scores have small to medium-size effects.
• SIS/SES nor BIS/BAS should exclusively be used for sexual or non-sexual behavior.

The theoretical proximity of the Dual-Control Model of the Sexual Response and the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory predicts at least moderate-size correlations of measurements based on these models. However, sexual inhibition has also been claimed to be domain-specific, suggesting smaller-size correlations and superior prediction of sexual outcomes using measures of sexual inhibition and excitation, compared with generic measures. The aim of this study (N = 254) was to investigate the predictive validity of the Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Scale (SIS/SES) for, respectively, sexual and non-sexual risk behavior beyond prediction using scores on the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation Scale (BIS/BAS). Both instruments, however, were found to contribute to the prediction of both types of risk behavior. The findings were interpreted as providing only partial support for the notion of domain specificity of sexual inhibition and excitation.