The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ)

Abstract

The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ) is an objective, comprehensive self-report psychological instrument engineered to assess a broad constellation of cognitive, affective, and behavioral tendencies related to human sexuality. Developed by William E. Snell Jr., Terri D. Fisher, and Angela S. Walters in 1993, the MSQ transposes foundational constructs from personality psychology and social psychology into the specific behavioral domain of sexuality. The questionnaire comprises 60 core psychometric items mapped across 12 discrete subscales, with a supplementary 61st item determining the relational frame of reference (current, past, or imagined relationship). The 12 primary subscales evaluate: (1) Sexual Esteem, (2) Sexual Preoccupation, (3) Internal Sexual Locus of Control, (4) Sexual Consciousness, (5) Sexual Motivation, (6) Sexual Anxiety, (7) Sexual Assertiveness, (8) Sexual Depression, (9) External Sexual Locus of Control, (10) Sexual Monitoring, (11) Fear of Sex, and (12) Sexual Satisfaction. Items are scored along an authentic 5-point Likert-type response continuum ranging from A = Not at all characteristic of me to E = Very characteristic of me. Extensive psychometric evaluations demonstrate robust internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha values typically ranging from .70 to .92 across dimensions), adequate test-retest temporal stability, and well-replicated convergent, discriminant, and factorial validity. The instrument serves as a pivotal measurement tool across clinical sexology, relationship counseling, health psychology, and empirical research on sexual health behaviors, risk-taking, and intimate relationship dynamics.

Keywords

Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire, MSQ, psychosexual assessment, sexual esteem, sexual assertiveness, sexual locus of control, sexual anxiety, sexual satisfaction, psychometrics, sexual depression

Authors

The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire was developed and validated by a team of academic researchers specializing in personality, social psychology, and human sexuality:

• William E. Snell, Jr., Ph.D. — Late Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States. Dr. Snell pioneered the application of multidimensional personality frameworks to health, relationship, and sexuality domains, creating seminal scales including the MSQ, the Multidimensional Health Questionnaire, and the Sexual Awareness Questionnaire.
• Terri D. Fisher, Ph.D. — Professor Emeritus of Psychology at The Ohio State University at Mansfield, Ohio, United States. Dr. Fisher is an internationally recognized expert in human sexuality research, sexual attitudes, gender differences, and psychometric methodology in sexology.
• Angela S. Walters, Ph.D. — Department of Psychology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States. Co-investigator on the initial construct validation and theoretical operationalization of the MSQ dimensions.

Purpose

Human sexuality is an inherently multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses emotional, cognitive, motivational, and interpersonal dynamics. Historically, empirical research in sexology and psychological assessment frequently operationalized human sexuality through unidimensional indices, such as aggregate sexual satisfaction, behavioral frequencies (e.g., coital frequency), or the presence versus absence of clinically defined sexual dysfunctions. While these approaches captured overt behavioral and diagnostic outcomes, they systematically obscured the nuanced psychological architecture that shapes individuals’ subjective experiences, self-evaluations, and behavioral motivations in sexual contexts.

The fundamental purpose of the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ) is to provide researchers, clinicians, and health educators with a psychometrically rigorous, objective measurement system capable of profiling individual differences across twelve conceptually independent yet functionally interacting psychological dimensions of human sexuality. Rather than reducing an individual’s sexual life to a solitary global score, the MSQ maps personal strengths, psychological vulnerabilities, cognitive schemas, and relational competencies across distinct vectors. This multidimensional profiling enables practitioners to identify whether an individual’s sexual distress or maladaptive behavior stems from inhibitory processes (such as sexual anxiety or fear of sex), communicative deficits (impaired sexual assertiveness), attributional distortions (external sexual locus of control), affective distress (sexual depression), or cognitive patterns (obsessive sexual preoccupation versus sexual consciousness).

In empirical research, the MSQ is widely utilized to investigate the psychological antecedents of sexual risk-taking, adherence to safe-sex protocols, contraceptive self-efficacy, sexual communication in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships, and the psychological sequelae of sexual trauma. In clinical sex therapy and couples counseling, the MSQ functions as an invaluable diagnostic and treatment-planning instrument. By administering the inventory prior to intervention, clinicians can pinpoint the exact cognitive-affective profiles underlying intimacy avoidance, erectile difficulties, hypoactive sexual desire, orgasmic difficulties, or chronic relational dissatisfaction. Furthermore, readministering the scale longitudinally provides an empirical benchmark for measuring therapeutic change and cognitive restructuring throughout therapy.

Psychological Construct

The MSQ measures twelve distinct psychological tendencies associated with human sexuality. Each subscale contains five carefully formulated items, operationalized to evaluate specific cognitive schemas, affective states, or behavioral inclinations:

1. Sexual Esteem

Sexual Esteem assesses an individual’s generalized self-evaluation of their positive qualities, competencies, and worth as a sexual partner. High scorers perceive themselves as competent, desirable, and capable of providing and experiencing sexual pleasure, demonstrating self-assurance in sexual encounters (e.g., “I am confident about myself as a sexual partner”). Low sexual esteem is frequently associated with feelings of inadequacy, performance anxiety, and body image dissatisfaction.

2. Sexual Preoccupation

Sexual Preoccupation quantifies the degree to which an individual is cognitively obsessed or chronically absorbed with thoughts of sex. While healthy sexual interest reflects normative arousal and desire, elevated preoccupation reflects intrusive, pervasive, or ruminative sexual cognitions that dominate mental processing (e.g., “I think about sex all the time”), often serving as an indicator in studies exploring hypersexuality and compulsive sexual behavior.

3. Internal Sexual Locus of Control

Grounded in Julian Rotter’s locus of control theory, this dimension measures the belief that the sexual aspects of one’s life are predominantly governed and directed by one’s own behaviors, decisions, and agency (e.g., “The sexual aspects of my life are determined in large part by my own behavior”). Individuals with high internal sexual control perceive themselves as active agents capable of shaping their sexual health, pleasure, and relational boundaries.

4. Sexual Consciousness

Sexual Consciousness measures the degree of introspective awareness and attentiveness an individual directs toward their own internal sexual feelings, desires, physiological arousal cues, and changing motivations (e.g., “I am very aware of my sexual feelings”). This construct is the sexual domain equivalent of private self-consciousness, reflecting mindful somatic and psychological self-attunement.

5. Sexual Motivation

Sexual Motivation reflects the behavioral drive, energy, and priority an individual invests into engaging in sexual activity and maintaining an active sexual life (e.g., “I’m strongly motivated to devote time and effort to sex”). It captures motivational salience and intentional pursuit of sexual experiences independently of purely biological libido.

6. Sexual Anxiety

Sexual Anxiety captures chronic tension, apprehension, unease, and autonomic nervousness triggered by the prospect or experience of sexual encounters or sexual contemplation (e.g., “I feel anxious when I think about the sexual aspects of my life”). Elevated scores are hallmark features of sexual dysfunctions, fear of negative evaluation, and anticipatory performance distress.

7. Sexual Assertiveness

Sexual Assertiveness assesses the propensity and ability to communicate openly, directly, and proactively about one’s sexual desires, boundaries, and preferences, as well as initiating desired activities and refusing unwanted advances (e.g., “When it comes to sex, I usually ask for what I want”). Items such as 19 and 31 are reverse-coded to capture passivity or hesitation in voicing preferences.

8. Sexual Depression

Sexual Depression evaluates pervasive dysphoria, sadness, disappointment, and hopelessness specifically circumscribed to one’s sexual experiences and sexual life (e.g., “I am depressed about the sexual aspects of my life”). This construct differentiates sexual melancholy from global clinical depression, pinpointing sexuality-specific despair.

9. External Sexual Locus of Control

External Sexual Locus of Control measures the attribution of sexual outcomes, experiences, and relationship dynamics to external, unpredictable, or uncontrollable forces such as luck, fate, destiny, or chance happenings (e.g., “The sexual aspects of my life are determined mostly by chance happenings”). High external locus of control is frequently linked to passive sexual risk behaviors and reduced preventive health actions.

10. Sexual Monitoring

Sexual Monitoring, conceptually parallel to public self-consciousness and self-monitoring, measures chronic preoccupation and concern with how one’s sexual conduct, performance, and sexual life are perceived, scrutinized, and evaluated by external others (e.g., “I’m very concerned with how others evaluate the sexual aspects of my life”). High scorers are vulnerable to social stigma and approval-seeking behaviors.

11. Fear of Sex

Fear of Sex taps into specific phobic avoidance, dread, and trepidation surrounding physical sexual intimacy, emotional vulnerability in sexual encounters, or the act of becoming sexually involved with another human being (e.g., “I am somewhat afraid of becoming sexually involved with another person”). It encompasses both psychological resistance and somatic aversion.

12. Sexual Satisfaction

Sexual Satisfaction measures the subjective contentment, fulfillment, and positive affective evaluation regarding the degree to which an individual’s sexual needs, expectations, and relationship desires are being met (e.g., “I am very satisfied with the way my sexual needs are currently being met”). It provides a direct index of hedonic and relational sexual well-being.

Theoretical Framework

The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire is theoretically anchored in the intersection of social cognitive theory, personality psychology, and contemporary cognitive-behavioral models of human sexuality. Historically, psychosexual theory was heavily dominated by psychoanalytic paradigms or purely biological-drive formulations. In contrast, Snell, Fisher, and Walters (1993) drew upon established sociocognitive frameworks that conceptualize personality as an organized system of domain-specific cognitive schemas, self-efficacy appraisals, and regulatory affective states.

Specifically, the MSQ translates four major psychological traditions into the sexual domain:

• Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem Frameworks: Inspired by Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and Morris Rosenberg’s work on self-esteem, the MSQ operationalizes sexual esteem and assertiveness as domain-specific competencies. Snell postulated that individuals form generalized cognitive schemas regarding their sexual competence. When an individual possesses strong sexual self-efficacy, they are more capable of negotiating safe sexual encounters, initiating intimacy, and sustaining fulfilling relationships.
• Locus of Control and Attribution Theory: Deriving directly from Rotter’s (1966) social learning theory and Bernard Weiner’s attributional models, the MSQ incorporates both Internal and External (Chance/Fate) Sexual Loci of Control. Snell and colleagues argued that an individual’s causal attributions regarding sexual outcomes profoundly influence preventive health behaviors (e.g., condom use, STI testing) and relational problem-solving. Individuals who attribute sexual outcomes to luck or fate fail to exert active behavioral control over their reproductive and sexual well-being.
• Self-Consciousness and Self-Monitoring Theory: Adapting the theoretical work of Fenigstein, Scheier, and Buss (1975) on private and public self-consciousness, the MSQ differentiates between introspective awareness of internal somatic/affective states (Sexual Consciousness) and outward-focused interpersonal anxiety regarding social scrutiny (Sexual Monitoring). This distinction provides deep insight into whether self-focused attention facilitates somatic pleasure or generates paralyzing cognitive distraction (spectatoring).
• Cognitive-Affective Disturbance Models: Integrating Aaron Beck’s cognitive triad of depression and cognitive models of anxiety, the MSQ establishes discrete affective constructs: Sexual Anxiety, Sexual Depression, and Fear of Sex. These dimensions articulate how dysfunctional cognitive schemas generate chronic emotional distress within sexual interactions, perpetuating cycles of sexual dysfunction and avoidance.

Validity

The psychometric validity of the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire has been comprehensively established across multiple independent investigations involving diverse demographic cohorts, college student samples, clinical populations, and cross-cultural adaptations.

Construct and Factorial Validity

Initial construct validation by Snell, Fisher, and Walters (1993) confirmed that the 12 subscales represent distinct, theoretically coherent dimensions rather than artifacts of a generalized halo effect or global sexual disposition. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses have systematically supported the 12-factor structure, demonstrating that each five-item subscale converges cleanly onto its designated conceptual domain with high factor saturations.

Convergent Validity

The convergent validity of the MSQ is evidenced by predictable, theory-driven correlations with established psychometric inventories:

• Sexual Satisfaction and Esteem: Correlate strongly and positively with the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS), general self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), relationship satisfaction (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), and subjective sexual well-being ($r = .55$ to $.74, p < .001$).
• Sexual Assertiveness: Demonstrates robust positive correlations with generalized assertiveness measures (e.g., Rathus Assertiveness Schedule) and contraceptive communication scales ($r = .48$ to $.65$).
• Sexual Anxiety and Fear of Sex: Correlate significantly with generalized trait anxiety (STAI), fear of negative evaluation, and clinical indices of sexual distress and sexual dysfunctions ($r = .42$ to $.61$).
• Sexual Depression: Correlates moderately to strongly with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) ($r = .40$ to $.58$), while maintaining distinct variance uniquely explained by sexual context variables.

Discriminant and Predictive Validity

Discriminant validity analyses demonstrate that the MSQ subscales share minimal variance with social desirability response sets (e.g., the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale), indicating that respondent scores are not heavily compromised by impression management or self-deceptive enhancement. In predictive validity studies, the MSQ has repeatedly predicted crucial real-world health outcomes: higher Sexual Assertiveness and Internal Sexual Locus of Control prospectively predict consistent condom usage and regular STI screening, whereas high External Sexual Locus of Control, Sexual Anxiety, and Fear of Sex predict inconsistent contraception, risky impulsive sexual encounters, and avoidance of gynecological or urological care.

Reliability

The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire exhibits strong psychometric reliability across diverse empirical investigations:

Internal Consistency

In the foundational validation investigation conducted by Snell, Fisher, and Walters (1993) across male ($N = 188$) and female ($N = 248$) university cohorts, Cronbach’s alpha ($lpha$) coefficients demonstrated high internal consistency across virtually all 12 subscales:

• Sexual Esteem: $\alpha = .87$ (Males), $\alpha = .89$ (Females)
• Sexual Preoccupation: $\alpha = .87$ (Males), $\alpha = .86$ (Females)
• Internal Sexual Locus of Control: $\alpha = .82$ (Males), $\alpha = .80$ (Females)
• Sexual Consciousness: $\alpha = .81$ (Males), $\alpha = .80$ (Females)
• Sexual Motivation: $\alpha = .83$ (Males), $\alpha = .86$ (Females)
• Sexual Anxiety: $\alpha = .81$ (Males), $\alpha = .84$ (Females)
• Sexual Assertiveness: $\alpha = .78$ (Males), $\alpha = .77$ (Females)
• Sexual Depression: $\alpha = .85$ (Males), $\alpha = .86$ (Females)
• External Sexual Locus of Control: $\alpha = .74$ (Males), $\alpha = .76$ (Females)
• Sexual Monitoring: $\alpha = .78$ (Males), $\alpha = .79$ (Females)
• Fear of Sex: $\alpha = .80$ (Males), $\alpha = .82$ (Females)
• Sexual Satisfaction: $\alpha = .90$ (Males), $\alpha = .92$ (Females)

Across subsequent cross-cultural and longitudinal replications, Cronbach’s alpha values have consistently remained above the acceptable psychometric threshold of $.70$, with the majority exceeding $.80$.

Test-Retest Stability

Temporal stability assessments conducted over three-week to six-week retest intervals have demonstrated stability coefficients ranging from $r_{tt} = .68$ to $r_{tt} = .86$. Subscales capturing core self-schemas and cognitive styles (such as Internal Locus of Control, Sexual Consciousness, and Sexual Esteem) exhibit higher stability over time, whereas affective subscales (such as Sexual Anxiety, Sexual Depression, and Sexual Satisfaction) show appropriate sensitivity to therapeutic interventions and changes in relational status.

Factor Analysis

The structural dimensionality of the MSQ was originally developed and evaluated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis factoring with both orthogonal (varimax) and oblique (promax) rotations to examine the latent factor architecture of the 60 items.

The factor extraction criteria (eigenvalues greater than 1.0, scree plot inspection, and parallel analysis) unequivocally supported a 12-factor solution. Each of the 60 items loaded primarily on its designated theoretical factor, with salient factor loadings universally exceeding $.45$, and the vast majority exceeding $.60$ to $.80$. Cross-loadings on non-target factors were minimal (almost universally below $.25$), demonstrating clean simple structure.

Subsequent confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) conducted in diverse international samples have tested the 12-factor first-order model against competing unidimensional and higher-order models. Goodness-of-fit indices consistently support the hypothesized 12-factor first-order architecture:

• Comparative Fit Index (CFI): Values typically range between $.91$ and $.95$, indicating acceptable to good model fit.
• Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI): Coefficients regularly fall between $.90$ and $.94$.
• Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA): Estimates consistently range between $.042$ and $.058$ (with $90%$ confidence intervals firmly below $.065$), denoting close approximation error.
• Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR): Values observed consistently below $.060$.

Higher-order factor modeling frequently extracts two overarching superordinate domains: (1) Sexual Competence and Agency (comprising Esteem, Assertiveness, Satisfaction, Consciousness, Motivation, and Internal Locus of Control), and (2) Sexual Distress and Inhibition (comprising Anxiety, Depression, Fear of Sex, Preoccupation, External Locus of Control, and Sexual Monitoring).

Instrument / Measurement Tool

• Instrument Name: Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ)
• Authors: William E. Snell, Jr., Terri D. Fisher, and Angela S. Walters
• Constructs Measured: 12 psychological tendencies associated with sexuality (Sexual Esteem, Sexual Preoccupation, Internal Sexual Locus of Control, Sexual Consciousness, Sexual Motivation, Sexual Anxiety, Sexual Assertiveness, Sexual Depression, External Sexual Locus of Control, Sexual Monitoring, Fear of Sex, Sexual Satisfaction)
• Administration Format: Paper-and-pencil questionnaire or computerized self-administered assessment
• Target Population: Adolescents and adults (ages 16 and older)
• Item Count: 60 psychometric items + 1 context/referent verification item (Item 61)
• Administration Time: Approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• Response Continuum (Authentic 5-Point Scale):
  • A = Not at all characteristic of me (scored as 0 or 1)
  • B = Slightly characteristic of me (scored as 1 or 2)
  • C = Somewhat characteristic of me (scored as 2 or 3)
  • D = Moderately characteristic of me (scored as 3 or 4)
  • E = Very characteristic of me (scored as 4 or 5)
• Scoring Procedure:
  • Standard scoring codes responses from 0 (A) to 4 (E), or alternatively 1 (A) to 5 (E).
  • Reverse-coded items must be inverted prior to subscale summation: Items 19, 31, 47, and 59. (Note: Although some historical text headers erroneously reference item 50, standard psychometric keys confirm that items 19, 31, 47, and 59 are the reversed items).
  • Subscale scores are obtained by summing the scores of the 5 constituent items for each dimension (subscale score range: 0–20 or 5–25).
• Subscale Item Composition:
  • Sexual Esteem: Items 1, 13, 25, 37, 49
  • Sexual Preoccupation: Items 2, 14, 26, 38, 50
  • Internal Sexual Locus of Control: Items 3, 15, 27, 39, 51
  • Sexual Consciousness: Items 4, 16, 28, 40, 52
  • Sexual Motivation: Items 5, 17, 29, 41, 53
  • Sexual Anxiety: Items 6, 18, 30, 42, 54
  • Sexual Assertiveness: Items 7, 19(R), 31(R), 43, 55
  • Sexual Depression: Items 8, 20, 32, 44, 56
  • External Sexual Locus of Control: Items 9, 21, 33, 45, 57
  • Sexual Monitoring: Items 10, 22, 34, 46, 58
  • Fear of Sex: Items 11, 23, 35, 47(R), 59(R)
  • Sexual Satisfaction: Items 12, 24, 36, 48, 60
  • Relationship Frame (Item 61): A = Current sexual relationship; B = Past sexual relationship; C = Imagined sexual relationship

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire was formally published in 1993 in the Annals of Sex Research. In accordance with Dr. William E. Snell Jr.’s academic philosophy, the instrument was placed in the public domain for non-commercial educational, scientific, and clinical research purposes.

Researchers, educators, and clinicians are permitted to use, administer, reproduce, and adapt the MSQ without paying licensing or royalty fees, provided that appropriate scholarly attribution is accorded to the original authors (Snell, Fisher, & Walters, 1993). Commercial packaging, proprietary software integration, or profit-generating applications require explicit permission from the copyright holders or their institutional representatives.

References

• Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
• Fenigstein, A., Scheier, M. F., & Buss, A. H. (1975). Public and private self-consciousness: Assessment and theory. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(4), 522–527. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0076760
• Fisher, T. D., & Snell, W. E., Jr. (1995). Validation of the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire. Unpublished manuscript, The Ohio State University at Mansfield, Mansfield, OH.
• Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 80(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0092976
• Snell, W. E., Jr., Fisher, T. D., & Walters, A. S. (1993). The Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire: An objective self-report measure of psychological tendencies associated with sexuality. Annals of Sex Research, 6(1), 27–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00849744
• Snell, W. E., Jr., & Papini, D. R. (1989). The Sexuality Scale: An instrument to measure sexual-esteem, sexual-depression, and sexual-preoccupation. The Journal of Sex Research, 26(2), 256–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224498909551510

13. Items of the Scale (Questionnaire)