Assessing the propensity for sexual coaxing and coercion in relationships: factor structure, reliability, and validity of the tactics to obtain sex scale.

Although there are measures of sexual interest and sexual conflict in romantic relationships, none discriminate between sexual coaxing and sexual coercion or are sensitive to proximal changes in the propensity to use such strategies. In order to study these changes, we developed the Tactics to Obtain Sex Scale (TOSS) to assess self-reported likelihood of engaging in sexual coercion and sexual coaxing with a romantic partner. In Study 1, a sample of men and women (N = 419) in heterosexual relationships completed the TOSS and measures of its predicted correlates, including antisociality and mating success. An exploratory factor analysis of TOSS scores yielded a two-factor solution. As predicted, the two-factor solution identified coaxing (COAX) and coercion (COERCE) subscales. There was good internal reliability for TOSS, COAX, and COERCE scales (Cronbach alphas > .89). Significant correlations between COAX and self-perceived mating success and between COERCE and psychopathy provided preliminary evidence of construct validity. In Study 2, we replicated the factor structure and established the scale as a reliable and valid index of partner sexual coercion and coaxing propensity.