Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST)


Welcome to the Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST). This inventory asks questions about online and offline sexual behavior. Please respond “Yes” to the items which apply to your behavior and “No” to the items which do not apply. We are currently collecting data on this screening test and therefore do not have cut-off scores to indicate whether or not you have a problem with Internet sex. However, once you have completed the test, you will be shown the percentage that others have said “Yes” to the same items you indicated were “Yes” for your life. If you are concerned about your Internet sexual behavior, please seek professional help.

To complete the test, answer each question by placing a check in the appropriate yes/no column.

Yes    No     1.     I have some sexual sites bookmarked.
Yes    No     2.     I spend more than 5 hours per week using my computer for sexual pursuits.
Yes    No     3.     I have joined sexual sites to gain access to online sexual material.
Yes    No     4.     I have purchased sexual products online.
Yes    No     5.     I have searched for sexual material through an Internet search tool.
Yes    No     6.     I have spent more money for online sexual material than I planned.
Yes    No     7.     Internet sex has sometimes interfered with certain aspects of my life.
Yes    No     8.     I have participated in sexually related chats.
Yes    No     9.     I have a sexualized username or nickname that I use on the Internet.
Yes    No    10.    I have masturbated while on the Internet.
Yes    No    11.     I have accessed sexual sites from other computers besides my home.
Yes    No    12.     No one knows I use my computer for sexual purposes.
Yes    No    13.     I have tried to hide what is on my computer or monitor so others cannot see it.
Yes    No    14.     I have stayed up after midnight to access sexual material online.
Yes    No    15.     I use the Internet to experiment with different aspects of sexuality (e.g., bondage, homosexuality, anal sex, etc.)
Yes    No    16.     I have my own website which contains some sexual material.
Yes    No    17.     I have made promises to myself to stop using the Internet for sexual purposes.
Yes    No    18.     I sometimes use cybersex as a reward for accomplishing something (e.g., finish a project, stressful day, etc.)
Yes    No    19.    When I am unable to access sexual information online, I feel anxious, angry, or disappointed.
Yes    No    20.    I have increased the risks I take online (give out name and phone number, meet people offline, etc.)
Yes    No    21.    I have punished myself when I use the Internet for sexual purposes (e.g., time-out from computer, cancel Internet subscription, etc.)
Yes     No     22.     I have met face to face with someone I met online for romantic purposes.
Yes     No     23.     I use sexual humor and innuendo with others while online.
Yes     No     24.     I have run across illegal sexual material while on the Internet.
Yes     No     25.     I believe I am an Internet sex addict.

General Questions about Sex Addiction
Yes     No     26.     I repeatedly attempt to stop certain sexual behaviors and fail.
Yes     No     27.     I have continued my sexual behavior despite it having caused me problems.
Yes     No     28.     Before my sexual behavior I want it but afterwards I regret it.
Yes     No     29.     I have lied often to conceal my sexual behavior.
Yes     No     30.     I believe I am a sex addict.
Yes     No     31.     I worry about people finding out about my sexual activities.
Yes     No     32.     I have made efforts to quit a type of sexual activity and failed.
Yes     No     33.     I hide some of my sexual behavior from others.
Yes     No     34.     When I have sex, I feel depressed afterwards.

David L. Delmonico, Ph.D., NCC
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
(c)2000 David L. Delmonico