Attitudes Toward Abstinence (ATA)

Keywords:

Abstinence, Attitudes

Background:

The following 12-item scale can be used to assess attitudes toward abstinence among adolescents (Miller et al., 1998).

Brent C. Miller, Maria C. Norton, Xitao Fan, and Cynthia R. Christopherson

Publisher: Sage Publications

Cronbach alpha = 0.85 (Miller et al., 1998)

It is important for me not to have sexual intercourse before I get married.
Having sexual intercourse should be viewed as just a normal and expected part of teenage dating relationships. R
It is against my values for me to have sexual intercourse while I am an unmarried teenager.
A teen who has had sexual intercourse outside of marriage would be better off to stop having sexual intercourse and wait until marriage.
Teens who have been dating the same person for a long time should be willing to go along and have sexual intercourse if their partner wants to. R
The risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases is reason enough for teenagers to avoid sexual intercourse before they're married.
It is all right for teenagers to have sexual intercourse before they're married if they are in love. R
Having sexual intercourse is something only married couples should do.
Even if I am physically mature, that doesn't mean I'm ready to have sex.
I think it is OK for kids my age to have sex. R
People who do not want to have sexual intercourse should have the right to say "NO."
My sexual values and beliefs agree with those of my parent(s).

USE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE CATEGORIES FOR SCALES ABOVE.

Note: Items followed by an R should be reversed when coding.

Miller, B.C., Norton, M.C., Fan, X., & Christopherson, C.R. (1998). Pubertal development, parent communication, and sexual values in relation to adolescent sexual behaviors. Journal of Early Adolescence, 18, 27-52.

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