Psychology RootsFamily Support Scale
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About Family Support Scale
Scale Name
Family Support Scale
Author Details
Carl J. Dunst, Vicki Jenkins, and Carol M. Trivelte
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The Family Support Scale (FSS) is a self-report instrument developed to assess the social support systems available to families, particularly those with young children or children with special needs. The scale is designed to measure the availability and perceived adequacy of different sources of support, including family members, friends, and community resources.
The scale was created to help professionals identify the strengths and needs of families in order to provide appropriate interventions and support. It plays a significant role in early intervention programs, emphasizing the importance of external support systems in promoting family resilience, well-being, and effective caregiving.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- The Family Support Scale is primarily used with families that have young children, including those with children who have developmental delays or disabilities.
- The FSS contains a Likert-type scale with items focusing on the family’s perceived availability and adequacy of support from various sources such as family, friends, neighbors, and professionals.
- Respondents rate each source based on how helpful it is in providing support to the family.
- The scale is typically administered to parents or primary caregivers.
- It can be used in a variety of settings, such as during clinical assessments, in family counseling sessions, or as part of early intervention programs.
- Each item is scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater perceived support from a particular source.
- The total score reflects the overall level of social support available to the family, and individual subscale scores can highlight strengths or gaps in specific areas (e.g., family vs. professional support).
- High scores indicate that the family perceives adequate support from multiple sources, which can correlate with better family functioning and well-being.
- Low scores suggest areas where the family may feel unsupported, which can guide professionals in providing targeted interventions.
Reliability and Validity
The Family Support Scale has been widely used and validated in multiple studies. Key findings include:
- Reliability: The scale demonstrates high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, meaning that it reliably measures the perceived social support over time.
- Validity: Research has supported the scale’s construct validity, particularly in the context of families with children in early intervention programs. Studies have shown that the scale accurately reflects the real-world social support systems of families.
Available Versions
19-Items
Reference
Dunst, C. J. (1984). The family support scale: Reliability and validity. Journal of Individual, Family, and Community Wellness, 1(4), 45-52.
Dunst, C. J., Leet, H. E., & Trivette, C. M. (1988). Family resources, personal well-being, and early intervention. The Journal of Special Education, 22(1), 108-116.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the Family Support Scale measure?
A: The Family Support Scale measures the perceived adequacy and availability of social support systems for families, particularly those with young children.
Q: Who is the Family Support Scale designed for?
A: The scale is designed for parents or primary caregivers of young children, including those with children who have disabilities or special needs.
Q: What sources of support are assessed by the scale?
A: The scale assesses support from family members, friends, neighbors, and professionals (e.g., healthcare providers, social workers).
Q: How is the scale used in early intervention programs?
A: In early intervention programs, the scale helps professionals identify areas where families may need more support, enabling them to offer targeted interventions.
Q: How reliable is the Family Support Scale?
A: The Family Support Scale is highly reliable, with consistent results across different populations and time periods.
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