Family Awareness Scale – FAS

Select the statement that best describes leadership in your family: (a) No one person is really strong enough to be the leader; (b) Our family has one strong leader who always makes and enforces rules; (c) We have a strong leader, but at times we talk over decisions; (d) We frequently talk things over, but one person is usually in charge; (e) Leadership is always shared between the adults depending on the situation.

Select the statement that best describes alliances in your family: (a) A parent and a child are always teaming/ganging up against others; (b) Frequently a parent and a child team up against others; (c) The adults are usually on the same side; (d) The adults are usually on the same side and make a good team; (e) There is always a strong adult team.

How difficult is it for someone outside of your family to figure out which family members have power over other family members? (1 = Very difficult, 9 = Very easy)

How good a judge are individual family members of their own behaviors within your family? (1 = Very good judge, 9 = Very poor judge)

How good is your family at taking over and solving problems? (1 = Very good, 9 = Very bad)

How clearly do the members of your family tell one another about their feelings and thoughts? (1 = Very clear, 9 = Not clear)

How frequently do the members of your family say or admit that they are responsible for their own past and present behavior? (1 = Always, 9 = Never)

How often do the members of your family speak for one another or act like they can read each other's minds? (1 = Frequently, 9 = Never)

How often are family members open and willing to listen to the statements of other family members? (1 = Usually, 9 = Never)

How often do family members share their feelings with one another? (1 = Always, 9 = Never)

How would you describe your family? (1 = Warm, Humorous, Optimistic, 9 = Pessimistic)

How much conflict is there generally in your family? (1 = Always, 9 = Never)

How often are family members sensitive to, and understanding of, each other’s feelings? (1 = Always, 9 = Never)

How many emotional problems does your family have compared to most families? (1 = Far more, 9 = Far fewer)