Family Activity Scale (FAS)
Measures the frequency and variety of joint activities engaged in by families with young and school-aged children.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Family Activity Scale (FAS) was developed by Smith, M. (1985). It is designed to measure Family Activity Frequency. The scale is intended for use with Parents of children aged 2 to 12.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 21 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Aged 2 to 6, Aged 7 to 12.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 2 to 6 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 | 10 |
| Aged 7 to 12 | 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 | 11 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous Yes/No format.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 11. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low family activity level: 0 – 3
- Moderate family activity level: 4 – 7
- High family activity level: 8 – 11
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha of .87.
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.