Description

The Alcohol, Drugs, and the Family Social Support Scale (ADFSSS-25) is a psychometric tool designed to measure the impact of substance abuse on family social support systems. This scale evaluates how alcohol and drug use affects the perceived social support within families and the broader implications on familial relationships and social dynamics.

Scope: The ADFSSS-25 assesses various dimensions of social support within the context of substance abuse, including emotional, informational, and practical support.

Dimensions: It measures the extent to which substance abuse affects family members’ perceptions of support, the availability of support, and the overall impact on family functioning.

Data Analysis and Usage

The analysis of data from the ADFSSS-25 involves:

Data Collection: Administering the scale to individuals affected by alcohol or drug use in their families, including both those with substance use issues and their family members.

Scoring: Each item is scored based on responses related to perceptions of social support and the impact of substance abuse on family relationships.

Interpretation: Analyzing scores to understand the levels of social support perceived by family members and identifying areas where substance abuse may be impacting family dynamics.

Application: Using the results to inform interventions, support programs, and counseling strategies aimed at improving family support systems and addressing the impact of substance abuse.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Alcohol, Drugs, and the Family Social Support Scale (ADFSSS-25) are:

Assessment of Social Support: To evaluate how substance abuse affects perceptions of social support within the family.

Identification of Impact: To identify the ways in which substance abuse impacts family relationships and support structures.

Informing Interventions: To guide the development of targeted interventions and support strategies to enhance social support for families affected by substance abuse.

Calibration

The calibration of the ADFSSS-25 involves:

Scoring: Each item is rated on a scale reflecting the level of agreement or frequency related to social support and substance abuse impact.

Statistical Analysis: Analyzing data for reliability and validity, ensuring the scale accurately measures the intended constructs.

Normative Data: Comparing individual scores with normative data to interpret the level of perceived social support relative to established benchmarks.

Bibliography

Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.

Hanson, G. R., & Venturelli, P. J. (2008). Drugs and Society. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Sher, K. J., & Grekin, E. R. (2007). Substance use disorders and comorbidity. In M. H. Pollock & G. D. Zimbardo (Eds.), Handbook of Clinical Psychology.

Family Therapy Networker (2011). Substance Abuse and Family Dynamics. Family Therapy Networker.

Nash, D., & Harter, J. (2010). Social Support and Family Functioning: The Role of Social Networks in Substance Abuse Recovery. Substance Use & Misuse, 45(10), 1586-1596.