Attitudes Toward Masturbation Scale – ATMS
Measures individuals' complex and often conflicting thoughts, feelings, and reasons for wanting or avoiding masturbation.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Attitudes Toward Masturbation Scale – ATMS was developed by Chantal D. Young and Charlene L. Muehlenhard (2009). It is designed to measure Attitudes toward masturbation. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 81 items organized into 17 factors/subscales: Pleasure, Self-Exploration and Improvement, Mood Improvement, Relaxation and Stress Relief, Avoidance of Partner Sex, Arousal Decrease, Compulsion, Pleasure of Partner, Adherence to Social Norms, Substitution for Partner Sex, Importance of Fantasy, Feeling Unattractive, Boredom, Immorality, No Desire or Interest, Sex Negativity, In Committed Relationship.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasure | 1,2,35,41,42,44,50,51,52 | 9 |
| Self-Exploration and Improvement | 11,13,17,23,39,54,55,56,63,68 | 10 |
| Mood Improvement | 47,60,62,67 | 4 |
| Relaxation and Stress Relief | 6,7,16,40,46,58,61,64 | 8 |
| Avoidance of Partner Sex | 26,28,29,30,34,65 | 6 |
| Arousal Decrease | 18,21,33,49,59,69 | 6 |
| Compulsion | 8,25,27,32,43 | 5 |
| Pleasure of Partner | 15,66,70 | 3 |
| Adherence to Social Norms | 12,14,19,20,38,57 | 6 |
| Substitution for Partner Sex | 4,9,10,22,24,31 | 6 |
| Importance of Fantasy | 36,37,48,72 | 4 |
| Feeling Unattractive | 45,53,71 | 3 |
| Boredom | 3,5 | 2 |
| Immorality | 73,74,75,79,81 | 5 |
| No Desire or Interest | 76,77 | 2 |
| Sex Negativity | 78 | 1 |
| In Committed Relationship | 80 | 1 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not a Reason, 1 = 1, 2 = 2, 3 = A Moderately Important Reason, 4 = 4, 5 = 5, 6 = A Very Important Reason.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 6. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low importance / intensity: 0 – 2
- Moderate importance / intensity: 3 – 4
- High importance / intensity: 5 – 6
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alphas for the subscales ranged from .71 to .97.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.