Fatherhood Scale (FS)

Abstract

The Fatherhood Scale (FS) is a robust, 64-item self-report instrument designed to retrospectively measure an individual’s perception of their father’s involvement and behavior during their childhood and adolescence. Developed by G. L. Dick, the scale assesses nine distinct dimensions of fathering, capturing both positive and negative aspects of the father-child relationship, including emotional support, discipline, moral guidance, and practical engagement. Utilizing a 5-point Likert scale response format, the FS demonstrates excellent psychometric properties, making it a valuable tool for researchers studying the long-term impacts of paternal involvement on adult outcomes.

Keywords

Fatherhood Scale, paternal involvement, father-child relationship, retrospective assessment, parenting roles, psychological measurement, G. L. Dick, family dynamics, emotional responsiveness.

Authors

G. L. Dick.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Fatherhood Scale is to systematically quantify the complex and multifaceted nature of a father’s engagement and behavior across various developmental domains of the child. It was developed to move beyond simple measures of presence or absence, providing detailed scores across dimensions like emotional warmth, disciplinary style, and role fulfillment.

In research contexts, the FS has been specifically employed to investigate correlations between perceived paternal behavior and subsequent adult outcomes, such as examining the role of paternal involvement in male violence against female intimates, as detailed in the author’s originating dissertation. Clinically, the scale offers a structured method for assessing early relational history, which is critical in therapeutic settings focusing on attachment and trauma.

Construct

The FS measures the overarching psychological construct of Perceived Paternal Behavior, operationalized through nine specific, factor-derived subscales. This structure acknowledges that the fathering role is not monolithic but comprises a variety of interacting functions. These dimensions cover the spectrum of positive and negative interactions, including nurturing, teaching, providing, and instances of psychological or physical aggression.

The nine subscales provide a nuanced profile of the relationship, allowing researchers to differentiate between functional roles (e.g., provider, moral guide) and relational quality (e.g., emotional responsiveness, engagement level), thereby enhancing the understanding of how specific paternal behaviors shape child development.

Validity

The validity of the Fatherhood Scale is grounded in its rigorous development through factor analysis, which established the empirical distinctiveness of the nine theoretical dimensions of fathering. While specific details regarding predictive or concurrent validity are generally found in the full technical manual, the clear factor structure indicates strong construct validity, ensuring the scale measures the intended components of paternal behavior.

The scale’s widespread adoption in academic literature focused on family studies and social work suggests recognized utility and face validity in capturing crucial elements of the father-child dynamic necessary for understanding developmental trajectories.

Reliability

The Fatherhood Scale demonstrates exceptional internal consistency, confirming the high reliability of its measurements across all subscales and the total score. The high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients indicate strong internal homogeneity within each factor, meaning the items within a subscale measure the same underlying construct reliably.

• Total Scale Reliability: alpha 0.98
• Positive Engagement: alpha 0.93
• Positive Paternal Emotional Responsiveness: alpha 0.96
• Negative Paternal Engagement: alpha 0.85
• The Moral Father Role: alpha 0.86
• The Gender Role Model: alpha 0.80
• The Good Provider Role: alpha 0.90
• The Androgynous Role: alpha 0.83
• Responsible Paternal Engagement: alpha 0.90
• The Accessible Father: alpha 0.87

Factor Analysis

The factor analysis performed during the development of the Fatherhood Scale resulted in the identification of nine distinct, yet related, factors. These factors structure the 64 items, providing specific subscale scores that reflect different facets of paternal behavior and involvement. The nine factors are categorized based on the nature of the interaction being measured, encompassing positive interaction, emotional availability, provision, moral teaching, and negative or abusive behaviors.

The item loadings for each subscale are defined as follows (note: item 65 mentioned in the source grouping is omitted from the 64-item list provided):

• Positive Engagement: Items 3, 9, 10, 39, and 49.
• Positive Paternal Emotional Responsiveness: Items 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 35, 37, 40, 45, 53, 54, 56, and 62.
• Negative Paternal Engagement: Items 11, 13, 15, 20, 25, 27, 41, 44, 57, 59, and 63.
• The Moral Father Role: Items 26, 32, 50, and 61. (Note: Item 65 was listed in the original source grouping but is not present in the item list).
• The Gender Role Model: Items 16, 21, 31, 42, 46, and 47.
• The Good Provider Role: Items 17, 19, 29, and 36.
• The Androgynous Role: Items 4, 23, 24, 28, 34, 52, and 64.
• Responsible Paternal Engagement: Items 1, 7, 18, 22, 23, 33, 48, 51, and 60.
• The Accessible Father: Items 2, 30, 38, and 55.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report retrospective inventory

Format: 64 items utilizing a 5-point frequency scale (1 = never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Usually, 5 = always)

Language Available: English (Primary)

Population Group: Adults reflecting on their childhood experiences

Age Group: N/A (Administered to adults, assesses experiences across childhood and teen years)

Population Details: Developed and validated primarily within a clinical and social work research context, often used with populations where paternal involvement is a key variable of interest, such as studies on violence or family dysfunction.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the frequency with which specific behaviors or interactions with their father occurred during their upbringing.

Keywords

Fatherhood Scale, paternal roles, child development, family assessment, psychometrics, emotional support, discipline, retrospective memory.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A

Correspondence Address: N/A

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Fatherhood Scale was substantially developed and published in 2004. Information regarding usage permissions and associated fees must be obtained directly from the author, G. L. Dick, or the journal publisher, Research on Social Work Practice.

The instrument is also documented in the sourcebook: Fischer, Joel & Corcoran, Kevin J. (2007). Measures for Clinical Practice and research: A sourcebook. (4th ed.).

Reference’s

• Dick, G. L. (2000). The role of paternal involvement in male violence against female intimates. Dissertation Abstracts International, 61(02), 767. (UMI No. 9962389).
• Dick, G. L. (2004). The Fatherhood Scale. Research on Social Work Practice, 14(2), 80-92.
• Dick, G. L. (2004). The Fatherhood Scale. In Fischer, Joel & Corcoran, Kevin J. (2007). Measures for Clinical Practice and research: A sourcebook. (4th ed.). NY: Oxford University Pr. Vol. 1, Page(s): 338-340.
• The original instrument details can be accessed via ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249681367_The_Fatherhood_Scale.

Items of the Fatherhood Scale (FS)

1. My father helped me with my homework.
2. My father talked to be about my personal problems.
3. My father took me on activities.
4. My father told me that he loved me.
5. My father told me that I was a good boy/girl.
6. My father is a caring person.
7. My father attended school conferences.
8. During my childhood I felt close to my father.
9. During my teen years my father and I did things together.
10. My father liked to spend time with me.
11. My father spanked me.
12. I felt close to my father as a teenager.
13. My father hit my mother.
14. I know my father cared about me.
15. My father was ashamed of me as a child.
16. My dad taught me to fight back.
17. My father made sure I had the things I needed like clothing and toys.
18. My father read to me as a child.
19. My father provided well for us financially.
20. My father used to say things to hurt my feelings.
21. My father encouraged me to say what I felt.
22. My dad showed interest in my schoolwork.
23. My father hugged me.
24. My father is a good man.
25. When I got in trouble my father would punish me physically.
26. My father taught me right from wrong.
27. I saw my father beat my mother.
28. I saw my father cry.
29. My father was a good breadwinner for the family.
30. My father helped me solve my problems.
31. I could talk to my father about anything.
32. My father went to church with me.
33. I remember playing sports with my father.
34. My father helped my mom clean the house.
35. My father comforted me when I was feeling bad.
36. My dad was always employed while I was growing up.
37. My father made me feel special.
38. When I got angry‚ I used to talk things over with my dad.
39. My father and I enjoyed time together.
40. My dad would talk to me about things going on in the world.
41. My father was loving toward me.
42. I was abused by my father.
43. My father talked to me about sex.
44. My father used to say grace at mealtime.
45. When I was a child‚ my father shouted at me if I did something wrong.
46. I have warm feelings for my father.
47. My dad would talk to me about things going on in the world.
48. My dad taught me what it was like to be a man.
49. My dad attended sporting events in which I played.
50. My father and I had good times together.
51. My father instilled important values in me.
52. My father took me to the doctor.
53. My father is a kind man.
54. My father understood me.
55. I told my father I loved him.
56. My father was around when I needed him
57. My father praised me.
58. My father is mean.
59. My father used to get angry and say he didn’t like me.
60. My dad attended school activities in which I participated.
61. My dad talked to me about God.
62. My father showed concern when I got hurt.
63. I saw my father hit one of my sibs.
64. My dad would cook meals.