Short IM Scale from BIDR Version 6
1. I never cover up my mistakes.
2. There have been occasions when I have taken advantage of someone. (R)
3. I always obey laws‚ even if I’m unlikely to get caught.
4. I have said something bad about a friend behind his/her back. (R)
5. When I hear people talking privately‚ I avoid listening.
6. I have received too much change from a salesperson without telling him or her. (R)
7. When I was young I sometimes stole things. (R)
8. I have never dropped litter on the street.
9. I never look at sexy books or magazines.
10. I have done things that I don’t tell other people about. (R)
11. I have pretended to be sick to avoid work or school. (R)
12. I don’t gossip about other people’s business.
Final AMS-Sex
External
2. Because I could get in trouble with my parents.
3. Because I worry my parents would get upset.
6. Because my parents would not be pleased if I did have sex.
9. Because my parents would disapprove of me having sex.
11. Because my parents would get mad at me for having sex.
23. Because that’s the rule in our family.
Introjected
28. Because I would feel guilty for having sex.
30. Because I would feel awful for having sex.
31. Because I would feel ashamed for having sex.
32. Because I would feel embarrassed for having sex.
33. Because I would feel like a failure for having sex.
46. Because I can only feel good about myself if I do not have sex.
Identified
53. Because I believe sexual abstinence is the responsible thing to do.
54. Because sexual abstinence is personally important to me.
59. Because I have strong values regarding sexual abstinence.
62. Because I believe it is important to be sexually abstinent.
63. Because I believe it is the right thing to do.
64. Because I personally value the benefits of staying away from sex.
Integrated
71. Because sexual abstinence is consistent with what I value most in life.
72. Because being sexually abstinent is consistent with my life goals.
73. Because being sexually abstinent is important to my sense of identity.
74. Because being sexually abstinent reflects what I value most in life.
75. Because sexual abstinence is part of the way I’ve chosen to live my life.
77. Because sexual abstinence is an important part of my identity.
Initial AMS-Sex
External
Avoidant
1. Because I am afraid I will get caught.
2. Because I do not want to get in trouble with my parents.
3. Because my parents would get upset.
4. Because I feel pressure from others to keep from having sex.
5. Because my parents pressure me to not have sex.
6. Because my parents would not be pleased if I did have sex.
7. Because I do not want to have a bad reputation.
8. Because I am afraid people might find out that I had sex.
9. Because my parents would disapprove of me having sex.
10. Because my friends would disapprove of me having sex.
11. Because my parents would get mad at me for having sex.
12. Because my friends would get mad at me for having sex.
Approach
13. Because I want to please people who do not want me to have sex.
14. Because my friends think I should wait to have sex.
15. Because my friends think sexual abstinence is best.
16. Because my friends really want me to abstain from sex.
17. Because my parents insist that I keep from having sex.
18. Because my friends insist that I keep from having sex.
19. Because my parents say I should stay away from sex.
20. Because my friends think I should stay away from sex.
21. Because my parents expect me to stay away from sex.
22. Because my friends expect me to stay away from sex.
23. Because that’s the rule in our family.
24. Because I want to have a good reputation.
25. Because other people think it is a good idea.
Introjected
Avoidant
26. Because I do not want to disappoint my parents.
27. Because I do not want to disappoint my friends.
28. Because I would feel guilty for having sex.
29. Because I would feel bad about myself for having sex.
30. Because I would feel awful for having sex.
31. Because I would feel ashamed for having sex.
32. Because I would feel embarrassed for having sex.
33. Because I would feel like a failure for having sex.
34. Because I would be upset at myself for having sex.
35. Because I do not want my parents to think I am a bad person.
36. Because I do not want my friends to think I am a bad person.
37. Because I do not want to lose the respect of my parents.
38. Because I do not want to lose the respect of my peers.
39. Because other kids won’t like me if I am sexually active.
Approach
40. Because I want my parents to think I am a good person.
41. Because I want my friends to think I am a good person.
42. Because I want my parents to see me in a positive way.
43. Because I want my friends to see me in a positive way.
44. Because I want my parents to approve of me.
45. Because I want my peers to approve of me.
46. Because I can only feel good about myself if I do not have sex.
47. Because I feel proud when I can stay away from sex.
48. Because I want other kids to like me for staying away from sex.
Identified
49. Because being sexually active now is against my personal beliefs.
50. Because being sexually active now is against my personal standards.
51. Because being sexually active now is against my personal values.
52. Because I don’t believe in sex before marriage.
53. Because I believe sexual abstinence is the responsible thing to do.
54. Because sexual abstinence is personally important to me.
55. Because I have chosen sexual abstinence as a way to reach my personal goals.
56. Because I believe sexual abstinence is a good thing for my personal growth.
57. Because being sexually abstinent will help me become the person I want to be.
58. Because sexual abstinence before marriage is an important principle for me.
59. Because I have strong values regarding sexual abstinence.
60. Because I strongly value sexual abstinence.
61. Because sexual abstinence during adolescence is the reasonable thing to do.
62. Because I believe it is important to be sexually abstinent.
63. Because I believe it is the right thing to do.
64. Because I personally value the benefits of staying away from sex.
Integrated
65. Because having sex now would go against who I am.
66. Because being sexually abstinent is important to my life goals.
67. Because being sexually abstinent is an important part of who I am.
68. Because being sexually abstinent is an expression of who I am.
69. Because being sexually abstinent reflects who I am.
70. Because being sexually abstinent allows me to live true to my core values.
71. Because sexual abstinence is consistent with what I value most in life.
72. Because being sexually abstinent is consistent with my life goals.
73. Because being sexually abstinent is important to my sense of identity.
74. Because being sexually abstinent reflects what I value most in life.
75. Because sexual abstinence is part of the way I’ve chosen to live my life.
76. Because being sexually abstinence is important to many aspects of my life.
77. Because sexual abstinence is an important part of my identity.
External‚ introjected‚ identified‚ and integrated
This instrument can be found on pages 70-74 of “Development and Validation of the Abstinence Motivation Scale”‚ available online at: http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4685&context=etd
not at all a reason for me‚ a little bit of a reason for me‚ somewhat of a reason for me‚ quite a bit of a reason for me‚ totally a reason for me
Johnson‚ Natalie‚ “Development and Validation of the Abstinence Motivation Scale” (2013). Brigham Young University.Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3686.