Scale Overview
The Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale – SAFE was developed by Mena, F. J., Padilla, A. M., & Maldonado, M. (1987). It is designed to measure Acculturative Stress. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 24 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Not At All True, 2 = Slightly True, 3 = Somewhat True, 4 = Very True.
The scale includes 1 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 24 to 96. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Acculturative Stress: 24 – 42
- Moderate Acculturative Stress: 43 – 60
- High Acculturative Stress: 61 – 78
- Very High Acculturative Stress: 79 – 96
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.