Work and Family Engagement Scale
Measures cognitive engagement (attention and absorption) in both work and family roles, alongside physical engagement (energy) at work.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Work and Family Engagement Scale was developed by Nancy P. Rothbard (2001). It is designed to measure Work and Family Engagement. The scale is intended for use with Working adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 24 items organized into 5 factors/subscales: Work Attention, Work Absorption, Work Energy, Family Attention, Family Absorption.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Work Attention | 1,2,3,4 | 4 |
| Work Absorption | 5,6,7,8,9 | 5 |
| Work Energy | 10,11,12,13,14,15 | 6 |
| Family Attention | 16,17,18,19 | 4 |
| Family Absorption | 20,21,22,23,24 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 7-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree).
The scale includes 2 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 1 to 7. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Engagement: 1 – 3
- Moderate Engagement: 4 – 5
- High Engagement: 6 – 7
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Attention (Work: .80, Family: .77), Absorption (Work: .80, Family: .79).
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.