Psychology RootsFamily Environment Scale – Form R
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About Family Environment Scale – Form R
Scale Name
Family Environment Scale – Form R
Author Details
Bernice S. Moos and Rudolf H. Moos
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Family Environment Scale (FES), developed by Rudolf Moos and later revised in 1994, is a 90-item scale that evaluates family functioning and the social environment within the family setting. The FES is structured to assess three main constructs: Relationship Dimensions, Personal Growth Dimensions, and System Maintenance Dimensions, each of which contains several subscales. The Relationship Dimensions measure Cohesion (e.g., “We put a lot of energy into what we do at home”), Expressiveness (e.g., “Family members often keep their feelings to themselves”), and Conflict (e.g., “We fight a lot in our family”).
The Personal Growth Dimensions include Independence, Achievement Orientation, Intellectual-Cultural Orientation, Active-Recreational Orientation, and Moral-Religious Orientation. For example, items like “In our family, we are strongly encouraged to be independent” assess Independence, while “The Bible is an important book in our home” measures Moral-Religious Emphasis. Finally, the System Maintenance Dimensions contain subscales for Organization and Control, with items such as “Each person’s duties are clearly defined in our family” reflecting Organization.
Respondents answer the items as true or false based on their family environment while growing up. The FES provides a comprehensive view of family dynamics and has been widely used in both clinical and research settings.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the Copy: Available from Consulting Psychologists Press (Palo Alto, CA) or Mind Garden with appropriate permissions.
- Purpose: To evaluate family functioning and the social climate of family life.
- Instructions: Respondents answer 90 true-or-false statements based on the family they grew up in.
- Time: Approximately 15–20 minutes.
Reliability and Validity
The Family Environment Scale demonstrates adequate reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from .61 (Independence) to .78 (for subscales such as Cohesion, Intellectual-Cultural Orientation, and Moral-Religious Emphasis). The scale’s structure has been supported by factor analyses, ensuring that the subscales accurately reflect different dimensions of family functioning and dynamics. It has been validated in both clinical and non-clinical populations, making it a valuable tool for assessing family environments.
Available Versions
90-Items
Reference
Waldron, R. J., Sabatelli, R. M., & Anderson, S. A. (1990). An examination of the factor structure of the Family Environment Scale. American Journal of Family Therapy, 18(3), 257-272.
Moos, R. H., Insel, P. M., & Humphrey, B. (1974). Preliminary manual for family environment scale, work environment scale, group environment scale. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Here MindGarden: Family Environment Scale
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the FES measure?
It assesses family dynamics and social climate, focusing on relationship quality, personal growth, and family maintenance.
Who can use the scale?
The FES is widely used in family therapy, social research, and clinical settings.
What is the format of the scale?
The FES uses true-or-false statements that respondents answer based on their experiences in their family of origin.
Is it suitable for all age groups?
Yes, but respondents are typically adults reflecting on the family environment during their upbringing.
How is it scored?
Scores are derived for each subscale, providing insight into specific family dynamics and the overall family environment.
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