Drive for Muscularity Scale – DMS
Measures an individual's perception that they are not muscular enough and their desire to increase their muscle mass.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Drive for Muscularity Scale – DMS was developed by Don R. McCreary & Diane K. Sasse (2000). It is designed to measure Drive for muscularity. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 15 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Muscularity-Oriented Attitudes, Muscle-Enhancing Behaviors.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Muscularity-Oriented Attitudes | 1,7,9,11,13,14,15 | 7 |
| Muscle-Enhancing Behaviors | 2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12 | 8 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, 5 = Very Often, 6 = Always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 15 to 90. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Drive for Muscularity: 15 – 45
- Moderate Drive for Muscularity: 46 – 70
- High Drive for Muscularity: 71 – 90
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Alpha .85-.91 for men, >.80 for women.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.