Multiple Indicators of Subjective Sexual Arousal – MISSA
A set of three self-report measures designed to assess subjective sexual arousal through overall ratings, affective states, and genital sensations.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Multiple Indicators of Subjective Sexual Arousal – MISSA was developed by Donald L. Mosher, M. Barton-Henry, & S. E. Green (1988). It is designed to measure Subjective sexual arousal. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 11 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Ratings of Sexual Arousal, Ratings of Affective Sexual Arousal, Ratings of Genital Sensations.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings of Sexual Arousal | 1,2,3,4,5 | 5 |
| Ratings of Affective Sexual Arousal | 6,7,8,9,10 | 5 |
| Ratings of Genital Sensations | 11 | 1 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: RSA 1 = No sexual arousal/sensation at all, RSA 7 = Extremely sexually aroused / Extreme sensation, RASA 1 = Very slightly or not at all, RASA 2 = Slightly, RASA 3 = Moderately, RASA 4 = Considerably, RASA 5 = Very strongly, RGS 1-11 = Peak genital sensation level (1 = No genital sensations, 11 = Multiple orgasm).
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach alpha coefficients ranged from .92 to .97 across subscales..
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.