Family Unpredictability Scale – FUS
Measures the level of unpredictability in family routines, behavior, and environment across multiple domains.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Family Unpredictability Scale – FUS was developed by Lisa Thomson Ross & Elizabeth M. Hill (2004). It is designed to measure Family Unpredictability. The scale is intended for use with Parents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 22 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Nurturance, Meals, Finances, Discipline.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Nurturance | 1,3,7,11,14,16,19 | 7 |
| Meals | 2,6,13,17,20 | 5 |
| Finances | 4,9,21 | 3 |
| Discipline | 5,8,10,12,15,18,22 | 7 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Disagree, 2 = Disagree Somewhat, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Agree, 5 = Agree Strongly.
The scale includes 10 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.80 – 0.90.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.