Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire – MSSCQ
A multidimensional self-report instrument designed to measure 20 psychological aspects of human sexuality.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire – MSSCQ was developed by William E. Snell, Jr. (1995). It is designed to measure Sexual Self-Concept. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 95 items organized into 20 factors/subscales: Sexual Anxiety, Sexual Self-Efficacy, Sexual Consciousness, Motivation to Avoid Risky Sex, Chance/Luck Sexual Control, Sexual Preoccupation, Sexual Assertiveness, Sexual Optimism, Sexual Problem Self-Blame, Sexual Monitoring, Sexual Motivation, Sexual Problem Management, Sexual Esteem, Sexual Satisfaction, Power-Other Sexual Control, Sexual Self-Schemata, Fear of Sex, Sexual Problem Prevention, Sexual Depression, Internal Sexual Control.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Anxiety | 1,21,41,61,81 | 5 |
| Sexual Self-Efficacy | 2,22,42,62,82 | 5 |
| Sexual Consciousness | 3,23,43,63,83 | 5 |
| Motivation to Avoid Risky Sex | 4,24,44,64,84 | 5 |
| Chance/Luck Sexual Control | 5,25,45,65,85 | 5 |
| Sexual Preoccupation | 6,26,46,66,86 | 5 |
| Sexual Assertiveness | 7,27,47,67,87 | 5 |
| Sexual Optimism | 8,28,48,68,88 | 5 |
| Sexual Problem Self-Blame | 9,29,49,69,89 | 5 |
| Sexual Monitoring | 10,30,50,70,90 | 5 |
| Sexual Motivation | 11,31,51,71,91 | 5 |
| Sexual Problem Management | 12,32,52,72,92 | 5 |
| Sexual Esteem | 13,33,53,73,93 | 5 |
| Sexual Satisfaction | 14,34,54,74,94 | 5 |
| Power-Other Sexual Control | 15,35,55,75,95 | 5 |
| Sexual Self-Schemata | 16,36,56,76 | 4 |
| Fear of Sex | 17,37,57,77 | 4 |
| Sexual Problem Prevention | 18,38,58,78 | 4 |
| Sexual Depression | 19,39,59,79 | 4 |
| Internal Sexual Control | 20,40,60,80 | 4 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not at all characteristic of me, 1 = Slightly characteristic of me, 2 = Somewhat characteristic of me, 3 = Moderately characteristic of me, 4 = Very characteristic of me.
The scale includes 5 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 4. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low tendency: 0 – 1
- Moderate tendency: 1 – 2
- High tendency: 3 – 4
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach alphas ranging from .72 to .94 across subscales.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.