Scale Analysis

The Early Memories of Warmth and Safeness Scale consists of ten statements designed to assess an individual’s memories regarding the warmth and security they experienced during childhood. This scale focuses on emotional experiences and the quality of relationships with parents or caregivers in the early years of life. The statements cover various aspects of family life, such as the sense of safety, affection, acceptance, care in times of need, and the quality of family interaction. By using this scale, researchers and clinicians can evaluate the extent to which individuals have positive memories from their childhood, which may influence their psychological state and well-being later in life. This scale is important for understanding the role of early emotional experiences in shaping mental health and individual development.

Scale Purpose

The purpose of this scale is to evaluate an individual’s memories of early experiences of warmth, safety, and emotional support in childhood. Through ten statements, the scale explores the quality of relationships with parents or caregivers, as well as feelings of love, acceptance, and protection experienced by the individual. The main goal is to identify the positive or negative memories that may affect a person’s current psychological state and well-being. Understanding these memories is crucial in psychotherapy and research, as it can help identify the roots of mental health problems and guide the development of appropriate therapeutic interventions. Through the evaluation of this scale, specialists can gain valuable insights into how early experiences influence emotional development and the formation of personality.

Scale Scoring

The EMWSS-21 consists of 21 items that are scored as follows:
0 = No, never
1 = Yes, but rarely
2 = Yes, sometimes
3 = Yes, often
4 = Yes, most of the time

References

Richter, A., Gilbert, P., & McEwan, K. (2009). Development of an early memories of warmth and safeness scale and its relationship to psychopathology. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 82, 171–184.