- *
- INSTRUCTIONS: The items in this questionnaire refer to
people's sexuality. Please read each item carefully and decide to what extent it is
characteristic of you. Give each item a rating of how much it applies to you by using the
following scale:
- A = Not at all characteristic of me.
- B = Slightly characteristic of me.
- C = Somewhat characteristic of me.
- D = Moderately characteristic of me.
- E = Very characteristic of me.
-
NOTE:
- Remember to respond to all items, even if you are not completely
sure.
- Your answers will be kept in the strictest confidence.
- Also, please be honest in responding to these statements.
- 1. I feel anxious when I think about the sexual aspects of
my life.
- 2. I have the ability to take care of any sexual needs and
desires that I may have.
- 3. I am very aware of my sexual feelings and needs.
- 4. I am motivated to avoid engaging in "risky"
(i.e., unprotected) sexual behavior.
- 5. The sexual aspects of my life are determined mostly by
chance happenings.
- 6. I think about sex "all the time."
- 7. I’m very assertive about the sexual aspects of my
life.
- 8. I expect that the sexual aspects of my life will be
positive and rewarding in the future.
- 9. I would be to blame, if the sexual aspects of my life
were not going very well.
- 10. I notice how others perceive and react to the sexual
aspects of my life.
- 11. I’m motivated to be sexually active.
- 12. If I were to experience a sexual problem, I myself would
in control of whether this improved.
- 13. I derive a sense of self-pride from the way I handle my
own sexual needs and desires.
- 14. I am satisfied with the way my sexual needs are
currently being met.
- 15. My sexual behaviors are determined largely by other more
powerful and influential people.
- 16. Not only would I be a good sexual partner, but it’s
quite important to me that I be a good sexual partner.
- 17. I am afraid of becoming sexual involved with another
person.
- 18. If I am careful, then I will be able to prevent myself
from having any sexual problems.
- 19. I am depressed about the sexual aspects of my life.
- 20. My sexuality is something that I am largely responsible
for.
- 21. I worry about the sexual aspects of my life.
- 22. I am competent enough to make sure that my sexual needs
are fulfilled.
- 23. I am very aware of my sexual motivations and desires.
- 24. I am motivated to keep myself from having any
"risky" sexual behavior (e.g., exposure to sexual diseases).
- 25. Most things that affect the sexual aspects of my life
happen to me by accident.
- 26. I think about sex more than anything else.
- 27. I’m not very direct about voicing my sexual needs
and preferences. (R)
- 28. I believe that in the future the sexual aspects of my
life will be healthy and positive.
- 29. If the sexual aspects of my life were to go wrong, I
would be the person to blame.
- 30. I’m concerned with how others evaluate my own
sexual beliefs and behaviors.
- 31. I’m motivated to devote time and effort to sex.
- 32. If I were to experiences a sexual problem, my own
behavior would determine whether I improved.
- 33. I am proud of the way I deal with and handle my own
sexual desires and needs.
- 34. I am satisfied with the status of my own sexual
fulfillment.
- 35. My sexual behaviors are largely controlled by people
other than myself (e.g., my partner, friends, family).
- 36. Not only would I be a skilled sexual partner, but
it’s very important to me that I be a skilled sexual partner.
- 37. I have a fear of sexual relationships.
- 38. I can pretty much prevent myself from developing sexual
problems by taking good care of myself.
- 39. I am disappointed about the quality of my sex life.
- 40. The sexual aspects of my life are determined in large
part by my own behavior.
- 41. Thinking about the sexual aspects of my life often
leaves me with an uneasy feeling.
- 42. I have the skills and ability to ensure rewarding sexual
behaviors for myself.
- 43. I tend to think about my own sexual beliefs and
attitudes.
- 44. I want to avoid engaging in sex where I might be exposed
to sexual diseases.
- 45. Luck plays a big part in influencing the sexual aspects
of my life.
- 46. I tend to be preoccupied with sex.
- 47. I am somewhat passive about expressing my own sexual
desires. (R)
- 48. I do not expect to suffer any sexual problems or
frustrations in the future.
- 49. If I were to develop a sexual disorder, then I would be
to blame for not taking good care of myself.
- 50. I am quick to notice other people’s reactions to
the sexual aspects of my own life.
- 51. I have a desire to be sexually active.
- 52. If I were to become sexually maladjusted, I myself would
be responsible for making myself better.
- 53. I am pleased with how I handle my own sexual tendencies
and behaviors.
- 54. The sexual aspects of my life are personally gratifying
to me.
- 55. My sexual behavior is determined by the actions of
powerful others (e.g., my partner, friends, family).
- 56. Not only could I relate well to a sexual partner, but
it’s important to me that I be able to do so.
- 57. I am fearful of engaging sexual activity.
- 58. If just I look out for myself, then I will be able to
avoid any sexual problems in the future.
- 59. I feel discouraged about my sex life.
- 60. I am in control of and am responsible for the sexual
aspects of my life.
- 61. I worry about the sexual aspects of my life.
- 62. I am able to cope with and to handle my own sexual needs
and wants.
- 63. I’m very alert to changes in my sexual thoughts,
feelings, and desires.
- 64. I really want to prevent myself from being exposed to
sexual diseases.
- 65. The sexual aspects of my life are largely a matter of
(good or bad) fortune.
- 66. I’m constantly thinking about having sex.
- 67. I do not hesitate to ask for what I want in a sexual
relationship.
- 68. I will probably experience some sexual problems in the
future. (R)
- 69. If I were to develop a sexual problem, then it would be
my own fault for letting it happen.
- 70. I’m concerned about how the sexual aspects of my
life appear to others.
- 71. It’s important to me that I involve myself in
sexual activity.
- 72. If I developed any sexual problems, my recovery would
depend in large part on what I myself would do.
- 73. I have positive feelings about the way I approach my own
sexual needs and desires.
- 74. The sexual aspects of my life are satisfactory, compared
to most people’s.
- 75. In order to be sexually active, I have to conform to
other more powerful individuals.
- 76. I am able to "connect" well with a sexual
partner, and it’s important to me that I am able to do so.
- 77. I don’t have much fear about engaging in sex. (R)
- 78. I will be able to avoid any sexual problems, if I just
take good care of myself.
- 79. I feel unhappy about my sexual experiences.
- 80. The main thing which affects the sexual aspects of my
life is what I myself do.
- 81. I feel nervous when I think abut the sexual aspects of
my life.
- 82. I have the capability to take care of my own sexual
needs and desires.
- 83. I am very aware of the sexual aspects of myself (e.g.
habits, thoughts, beliefs).
- 84. I am really motivated to avoid any sexual activity that
might expose me to sexual diseases.
- 85. The sexual aspects of my life are a matter of fate
(destiny).
- 86. I think about sex the majority of the time.
- 87. When it comes to sex, I usually ask for what I want.
- 88. I anticipate that in the future the sexual aspects of my
life will be frustrating. (R)
- 89. If something went wrong with my own sexuality, then it
would be my own fault.
- 90. I’m aware of the public impression created by my
own sexual behaviors and attitudes.
- 91. I strive to keep myself sexually active.
- 92. If I developed a sexual disorder, my recovery would
depend on how I myself dealt with the problem.
- 93. I feel good about the way I express my own sexual needs
and desires.
- 94. I am satisfied with the sexual aspects of my life.
- 95. My sexual behavior is mostly determined by people who
have influence and control over me.
- 96. Not only am I be capable of relating to a sexual
partner, but it’s important to me that I relate very well.
- 97. I’m not afraid of becoming sexually active. (R)
- 98. If I just pay careful attention, I’ll be able to
prevent myself from having any sexual problems.
- 99. I feel sad when I think about my sexual experiences.
- 100. My sexuality is something that I myself am in charge
of.
- 101. I responded to the above items based on:
- (A) A current sexual relationship.
- (B) A past sexual relationship.
- (C) An imagined sexual relationship.
- Copyright - 1996
-
-
- Scoring Instructions for
the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ).
- The Multidimensional
Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ; Snell, 1995) is an objective self-report
instrument designed to measure the following 20 psychological aspects of human sexuality:
(1) sexual-anxiety, defined as the tendency to feel tension, discomfort, and
anxiety about the sexual aspects of one's life (items 1, 21, 41, 61, 81); (2) sexual
self-efficacy, defined as the belief that one has the ability to deal effectively with
the sexual aspects of oneself (items 2, 22, 42, 62, 82); (3) sexual-consciousness,
defined as the tendency to think and reflect about the nature of one’s own sexuality
(3, 23, 43, 63, 83); (4) motivation to avoid risky sex, defined as the motivation
and desire to avoid unhealthy patterns of risky sexual behaviors (e.g., unprotected sexual
behavior) (items 4, 24, 44, 64, 84; (5) chance/luck sexual control, defined as the
belief that the sexual aspects of one’s life are determined by chance and luck
considerations (items 5, 25, 45, 65, 85); (6) sexual-preoccupation, defined as the
tendency to think about sex to an excessive degree (items 6, 26, 46, 66, 86); (7) sexual-assertiveness,
defined as the tendency to be assertive about the sexual aspects of one's life (items 7,
27, 47, 67, 87); (8) sexual-optimism, defined as the expectation that the sexual
aspects of one’s life will be positive and rewarding in the future (items 8, 28, 48,
68, 88); (9) sexual problem self-blame, defined as the tendency to blame oneself
when the sexual aspects of one’s life are unhealthy, negative, or undesirable in
nature (items 9, 29, 49, 69, 89); (10) sexual-monitoring, defined as the tendency
to be aware of the public impression which one's sexuality makes on others (items 10, 30,
50, 70, 90); (11) sexual-motivation, defined as the motivation and desire to be
involved in a sexual relationship (items 11, 31, 51, 71, 91); (12) sexual problem
management, defined as the tendency to believe that one has the capacity/skills to
effectively manage and handle any sexual problems that one might develop or encounter
(items 12, 32, 52, 72, 92); (13) sexual-esteem, defined as a generalized tendency
to positively evaluate one’s own capacity to engage in healthy sexual behaviors and
to experience one's sexuality in a satisfying and enjoyable way (items 13, 33, 53, 73,
93); (14) sexual-satisfaction, defined as the tendency to be highly satisfied with
the sexual aspects of one's life (items 14, 34, 54, 74, 94); (15) power-other sexual
control, defined as the belief that the sexual aspects of one’s life are
controlled by others who are more powerful and influential than oneself (items 15, 35, 55,
75, 95); (16) sexual self-schemata, defined as a cognitive framework that organizes
and guides the processing of information about the sexual-related aspects of oneself
(items 16, 36, 56, 76, 96); (17) fear-of-sex, defined as a fear of engaging in
sexual relations with another individual (items 17, 37, 57, 77, 97); (18) sexual
problem prevention, defined as the belief that one has the ability to prevent oneself
from developing any sexual problems or disorders (items 18, 38, 58, 78, 98); (19) sexual-depression,
defined as the experience of feelings of sadness, unhappiness, and depression regarding
one's sex life (items 19, 39, 59, 79, 99); and (20) internal-sexual-control,
defined as the belief that the sexual aspects of one's life are determined by one's own
personal control (items 20, 40, 60, 80, 100).
The Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire
consists of 100 items. After several items are reverse coded (items 27, 47, 68, 77, 88,
and 97, designated with an "R"), the relevant items on each subscale are then
coded so that A = 0; B = 1; C = 2; D = 3; and E = 4. Next, the items on each subscale are
averaged, so that higher scores correspond to greater amounts of each tendency. Scores on
the 20 subscales can thus range from 0 to 4. The items on the MSSCQ subscales alternate in
ascending numerical order for each subscale (e.g., subscale 1 consists of items 1, 21, 41,
61, and 81; subscale 2 consists of items 2, 22, 42, 62, and 82).
-
- Permission is granted to individuals to use
the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire for research purposes.
MSSCQ References:
Snell, W. E., Jr. (1997). Measuring
multiple aspects of the sexual self-concept:
The Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ). Paper presented
at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
Snell, W. E., Jr. (1998). The Multidimensional Sexual
Self-Concept Questionnaire. In C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarber, R. Baurerman, G. Schreer, and S. L. Davis (Eds.), Sexuality-related
measures: A compendium (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Other references will be added when Dr. Snell is notified (click here).
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This site was last updated on
Sunday, June 17, 2007.
Department of Psychology, SE
Missouri State University
Send comments and inquires to wesnell@semovm.semo.edu
Copyright @ 1997 to Dr. William E.
Snell, Jr.
