The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS)
Background
The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS) is a 5-item public screening health questionnaire used to measure risky sexual behavior that is linked with risks of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs/HIV) or unintended pregnancies in young adults. The survey was published by Emanuele Fino and colleagues in 2021 and is primarily used by researchers, and public health officials.
After dropping one item from the original 6-item inventory, the scale shows good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha >= 0.8) and good test-retest reliability.
Task Procedure
Participants rate the frequency of their sexual behaviors asked by 5 questions, e.g. "How often have you had anal sex without a condom?" The 5 response anchors for the questions range from 'Never' (0 points) to 'Very Often' (4 points) with higher scores showing increased levels of risky sexual behavior. The inventory does not contain any reversed-scored items.
What it Measures
The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS) assesses risky sexual behavior
Psychological domains
- Risk-Taking Tendencies: A person’s general propensity for domain-specific risk-taking
- Sensation Seeking: Psychological trait where individuals actively pursue novel, intense, or dangerous experiences despite potential risks
Main Performance Metrics
- Total: Sum of all question scores (Range: 0-20; higher rating indicates higher levels of risky sexual behavior)
Psychiatric Conditions
The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS) functions almost exclusively as an academic research tool and a public health epidemiology metric.
The SRBS by Fino et al (2021) is a self-report screener questionnaire for risky sexual behavior in young adults.
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS).
Fino, E., Jaspal, R., Lopes, B., Wignall, L., & Bloxsom, C. (2021). The Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS): Development & Validation in a University Student Sample in the UK. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 44(2), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/01632787211003950
Fix, R. L., Walsh, C. S., Sheidow, A. J., McCart, M. R., Chapman, J. E., & Drazdowski, T. K. (2024). Juvenile probation officers delivering an intervention for substance use significantly reduces adolescents’ risky sexual behaviours. Sexual Health, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23181
Dalmolin, J., Arruda, G. T. de, Silva, E. V. da, Fraga, C. A. de, Candido, A. dos S., Pivetta, H. M. F., & Braz, M. M. (2026). Measurement properties of the Sexual Risk Behaviors Scale (SRBS) in university students in Brazil. Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil), 24, eAO1714. https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2026AO1714