Family Traditions Scale (FTS-20)

Overview

The Family Traditions Scale (FTS-20) is a psychometric instrument developed to assess the presence, frequency, and perceived significance of family traditions and rituals within the household. Family traditions represent recurring practices, shared activities, and cultural or symbolic rituals that reinforce family identity, promote emotional connectedness, and contribute to the continuity of values across generations. By evaluating these practices, the FTS-20 provides a comprehensive assessment of the role that traditions play in fostering family cohesion, resilience, and overall family functioning.

Objective

The primary objective of the Family Traditions Scale (FTS-20) is to examine the extent to which families engage in meaningful traditions and to evaluate how these shared experiences influence family relationships, cohesion, and identity. The instrument enables researchers and practitioners to better understand the contribution of family rituals to healthy family functioning and psychosocial well-being.

Specifically, the FTS-20 is designed to:

  • Assess the frequency and significance of family traditions.
  • Evaluate the contribution of traditions to family cohesion and shared identity.
  • Examine the influence of rituals on family relationships and interpersonal functioning.
  • Identify areas in which strengthening family traditions may improve family well-being.
  • Provide evidence to support family-centered interventions and counseling programs.

Scale Structure

The FTS-20 consists of 20 items completed by family members, who report the extent to which various family traditions and rituals are practiced within their household. The questionnaire addresses multiple aspects of family life, including regular family activities, cultural customs, celebrations, and meaningful rituals that contribute to the family’s shared experiences.

Responses are typically recorded using a Likert-type scale, ranging from lower levels of frequency or importance (e.g., Never) to higher levels (e.g., Always). Individual item scores are aggregated to produce an overall measure of family traditions, while additional subdomain scores may be calculated to evaluate specific dimensions such as cultural practices, ritual importance, and shared family experiences.

Applications

The FTS-20 is widely used in family psychology, developmental psychology, counseling, family therapy, sociology, and public health research. It provides valuable information for investigating the relationship between family traditions and important psychosocial outcomes, including family cohesion, communication, resilience, parental involvement, child development, and overall family well-being.

In clinical and educational settings, the instrument assists professionals in identifying strengths and challenges within family routines and traditions, facilitating the development of interventions designed to strengthen interpersonal relationships and promote healthier family functioning.

Scoring and Psychometric Evaluation

Each item is scored according to the respondent’s perceptions and experiences, with total scores representing the overall strength and consistency of family traditions. Where appropriate, scores may also be calculated for individual domains reflecting different dimensions of family rituals.

The psychometric evaluation of the FTS-20 includes assessments of internal consistency, commonly measured using Cronbach’s alpha, together with factor analysis to examine construct validity and ensure that the instrument accurately measures the intended dimensions of family traditions. When normative data are available, individual or family scores can be compared with reference populations, allowing practitioners and researchers to identify strengths as well as potential areas for intervention.

Interpretation

Higher FTS-20 scores indicate more frequent and meaningful family traditions, stronger family cohesion, and a greater sense of shared identity and belonging. Families with higher scores are more likely to engage in regular rituals that reinforce communication, emotional support, and intergenerational continuity. Conversely, lower scores may suggest fewer shared traditions, reduced family interaction, or weaker family connectedness, highlighting opportunities to enhance family relationships through the development of meaningful shared experiences.

References

Kagitcibasi, C. (2007). Family, Self, and Human Development Across Cultures: Theory and Applications. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Fiese, B. H., & Cady, L. S. (2009). Family Routines and Rituals in Health and Illness: The Role of Tradition and Structure in Family Life. In P. W. Goldstein & B. L. Auerbach (Eds.), Handbook of Health Psychology. Springer.

DeFrain, J., & Stinnett, N. (2000). Strong Families: A Guide to Family Strengths. Allyn & Bacon.

Kogan, N. (2004). Family Traditions and Their Impact on Family Life. Journal of Family Issues, 25(3), 339–362.