Scale Overview
The Alcohol, Drugs and the Family Social Support Scale (ADF SSS) was developed by Toner, P. & Velleman, R. D. B. (2009). It is designed to measure Perceived social support for family members of substance users. The scale is intended for use with Family members of individuals with alcohol or drug problems.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 25 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Positive Functional Support, Negative ADF Support, Positive Specific ADF Support.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Positive Functional Support |
1,2,4,5,6,7,8,11,21,22,23 |
11 |
| Negative ADF Support |
9,10,12,13,14,16,17,24 |
8 |
| Positive Specific ADF Support |
3,15,18,19,20,25 |
6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Never, 1 = Once or Twice, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 75. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Support: 0 – 25
- Moderate Support: 26 – 50
- High Support: 51 – 75
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.