Description

The UCLA Multidimensional Condom Attitudes Scale (MCAS) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the various dimensions of individuals’ attitudes toward condoms. The questionnaire examines perceptions and attitudes about condom use, aiming to understand the factors that influence their acceptance and use. Below is a detailed description of the objectives, analysis, and scoring of the scale, as well as relevant literature.

Objective

The main objectives of the UCLA Multidimensional Condom Attitudes Scale are:
Assessment of attitudes: Recording both positive and negative attitudes toward condom use.
Analysis of factors: Understanding the factors that influence condom use, such as perceived effectiveness and ease of use.
Correlation with behavior: Examining how attitudes affect behavior regarding the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception.

Analysis

The MCAS consists of different sections covering various dimensions of attitudes toward condoms:
Effectiveness: Perceptions regarding the ability of condoms to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
Comfort and ease of use: Attitudes about how easy and comfortable condoms are to use.
Relationships and trust: Perceptions of how condom use affects romantic and sexual relationships.
Moral and social beliefs: Attitudes reflecting the social and moral values associated with condom use.
Participants respond on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree,” to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement.

Scoring

The scoring of the MCAS includes:
Overall score: A general assessment of attitudes toward condom use.
Subscales: Scores for the different dimensions, such as effectiveness, comfort, relationships, and moral beliefs.
The scores can be used to identify areas where interventions may improve attitudes and increase condom use.

References

Helweg-Larsen, M., & Collins, B. E. (1994). The UCLA Multidimensional Condom Attitudes Scale: Documenting the Complex Determinants of Condom Use in College Students. Health Psychology, 13(3), 224–237.
Crosby, R., & Mettey, A. (2004). Condom Use and Use Errors Among College Men. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 26(5), 365–370.
Reece, M., & Dodge, B. (2004). A Study in Sexual Health Applying the Multi-Dimensional Condom Attitudes Scale to a Sample of Men at High Risk for HIV Infection. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28(6), 548–558.