Family Distress Index – FDI
Measures the level of distress, conflict, and unresolved problems experienced within a family unit.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Family Distress Index – FDI was developed by McCubbin, H. I., Thompson, A. I., & Elver, K. (1993). It is designed to measure Family Distress. The scale is intended for use with Families.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 8 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not a problem, 1 = Small problem, 2 = Medium problem, 3 = Large problem.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 24. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Distress: 0 – 8
- Moderate Distress: 9 – 16
- High Distress: 17 – 24
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.