Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS) Test

Understand mixed feelings about motherhood in 3 minutes. Get a clear snapshot to spot early stress risks and guide next-step support.

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Questions: 143 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

14,055 views

1,401 completion

1,246 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

8/16

Concealment (C)

Measures the extent to which a mother tends to hide signs of ambivalence about motherhood from people around her.

Low concealment

Moderate concealment

High concealment

4 – 7: Low concealment | 8 – 11: Moderate concealment | 12 – 16: High concealment

A score of 8 indicates a moderate tendency to conceal mixed feelings about motherhood from her immediate surroundings.

example score

10/16

Rejection (R)

Measures difficulty accepting oneself in the mother role and the extent of perceived maternal resources.

Low rejection

Moderate rejection

High rejection

4 – 7: Low rejection | 8 – 11: Moderate rejection | 12 – 16: High rejection

A score of 10 falls in the Moderate rejection range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme difficulty accepting the maternal role and a reduced sense of available maternal resources.

example score

6/16

Doubts (D)

Measures the intensity of a mother's doubts about her desire and motivation to be a mother.

Low doubts

Moderate doubts

High doubts

4 – 7: Low doubts | 8 – 11: Moderate doubts | 12 – 16: High doubts

A score of 6 falls in the Low doubts range, suggesting relatively few doubts about desire or motivation to be a mother at this time.

example score

39/56

Maternal Ambivalence (MA)

Measures the degree of conflicting positive and negative feelings and doubts associated with the maternal role and relationship with the child.

Low ambivalence

Moderate ambivalence

High ambivalence

14 – 27: Low ambivalence | 28 – 41: Moderate ambivalence | 42 – 56: High ambivalence

A score of 39 falls in the Moderate ambivalence range, suggesting noticeable but not extreme mixed emotions and internal contradictions related to motherhood.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

New moms feeling conflicted

46%OF USERS

Mothers of children under three who feel love and resentment, guilt, or doubt at the same time and want clarity about what they’re experiencing.

Postpartum mood concerns

33%OF USERS

Moms noticing anxiety, irritability, low mood, or emotional numbness who want a quick check on whether these feelings are becoming risky.

Clinicians and social support

21%OF USERS

Healthcare, counseling, and social service staff using a brief screen to understand a mother’s mixed emotions and track changes over time.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Concealment (C)

Average

10.4

Normal range

8.6 — 12.1

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Rejection (R)

Average

11.5

Normal range

9.4 — 13.6

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Doubts (D)

Average

11.6

Normal range

9.3 — 13.8

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS)

Average

32.3

Normal range

26.1 — 38.4

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It screens for mixed or conflicting feelings related to early motherhood and the relationship with a child under age three. It also reflects internal doubts that may affect adjustment to the parenting role.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for mothers or primary caregivers raising a child under age three. It may be used when parenting feels stressful, overwhelming, or emotionally confusing.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

Completion time is approximately three minutes. The questionnaire includes 14 items.

How should items be answered?

Select the response that best matches typical feelings over recent days or weeks. Answer all items and avoid spending excessive time on any single item.

How are results used?

Higher scores can indicate increased emotional conflict and possible risk for distress that may warrant follow-up. Results are used for screening or tracking change over time and do not provide a diagnosis by themselves.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

motherhood

This self-report measure is designed to assess mixed and conflicting emotions related to the maternal role and feelings toward a young child. The Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS) can be used to support a brief clinical appraisal of ambivalence that may complicate adjustment to parenting.

It consists of 14 items and takes about 3 minutes to complete. Responses may help identify the presence and relative intensity of co-occurring positive and negative affect, and can be considered for initial screening, clinical discussion, or monitoring change over time. The Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS) is not a standalone diagnostic tool and should be interpreted in the context of clinical interview, presenting concerns, and other relevant assessment information.

Author: john-bowlby, mary-d-ainsworth

Literature: Susan Hock. Maternal ambivalence. In: Joy D. Osofsky (Ed.), Handbook of infant development. Wiley. 1987.; M. B. Martin-Sanchez, V. Martinez-Borba, P. Catala, J. Osma, C. Penacoba-Puente, C. Suso-Ribera. Development and psychometric properties of the maternal ambivalence scale in Spanish women. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2022.

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