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The Stepfamily Stress Index (SSI)
PURPOSE:
The SSI is a 140 item inventory that:
a) measures the strength of a number of stressors that are often present in a stepfamily setting,
b) evaluates the extent to which these stressors may be impacting you personally, and
c) guages the strength of a collection of stress-reducing resources that can help you to manage the stressors identified.
It should take you about 15 minutes to complete all 140 questions.
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* Indicates required question
Identifying Information
Your name
*
Please use the following format: First, Last (e.g., Jane Smith)
Your answer
Your gender
*
Male
Female
Your email
*
Please check to make sure the answer you provide is accurate.
Your answer
Your partner's name
*
Please use the following format: First, Last. (e.g., Bob Smith)
Your answer
Instructions
Read each statement carefully, then select the option that fits your circumstances best according to the following key:
This statement is:
rarely or never true.
occasionally true.
often true.
usually true.
true most of the time.
All questions require an answer.
Question 1
*
At home I am expected to do too many different tasks in too little time.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 2
*
I feel that my family responsibilities are increasing.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 3
*
I am expected to perform tasks and duties that I have never had the opportunity to learn.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 4
*
I find that I’m often having to deal with family concerns while at work.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 5
*
I have the resources I need to accomplish what needs to get done at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 6
*
I feel competent in my role as a parent/stepparent.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 7
*
I am under tight deadlines at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 8
*
I wish that I had more help to deal with the demands placed on me at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 9
*
My family situation requires me to deal with several equally important issues at once.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 10
*
I am expected to do more work in the home than is reasonable.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 11
*
I feel that my family situation is progressing about as well as I hoped it would.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 12
*
I feel that I have the necessary skills and interests to manage with my family situation.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 13
*
I am bored with my family situation.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 14
*
I feel I have a suitable level of responsibility in my family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 15
*
I feel that my situation allows me to employ the skills and abilities I possess.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 16
*
I feel my family has a good future.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 17
*
Within the family context, I am able to satisfy my needs for success and recognition.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 18
*
I feel that my skills and abilities are more than adequate to manage with my family circumstances.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 19
*
My family life provides opportunities for me to learn new skills.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 20
*
In this home, I have to perform tasks that are below my ability.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 21
*
My spouse provides me with useful feedback about the way I do things.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 22
*
It is clear to me what I have to do to get the family to move forward.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 23
*
I am uncertain about what I am supposed to accomplish in my present family circumstances.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 24
*
When faced with several family-related tasks, I know which one should be done first.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 25
*
I know where to begin when I am confronted with a new task or issue.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 26
*
My spouse asks for one thing, but really wants another.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 27
*
In the family setting, I understand how others expect me to behave.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 28
*
The priorities for my family are clear.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 29
*
Regarding the family, my spouse and I have a clear understanding of how I should spend my time.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 30
*
I know the basis upon which my spouse evaluates me in the things that I do with/for the family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 31
*
I feel conflict between what my spouse expects me to do and what I think is right or proper.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 32
*
I feel caught between different factions (i.e., subgroups) within the family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 33
*
I have several people telling me what to do.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 34
*
I feel that I have a stake in the success of this family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 35
*
I feel good about the job that I do as a parent in this family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 36
*
People who are important to this family have conflicting ideas about what I should be doing.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 37
*
I am proud of being a stepparent.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 38
*
Everyone in the family is clear about who is really in charge.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 39
*
I have divided loyalties in this family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 40
*
My being a member of this family has as much payoff for me as it does for the family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 41
*
As a family, we typically have to change our plans to accommodate the wishes and demands of others.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 42
*
The kids are able to 'divide and conquer' us in our efforts to parent them.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 43
*
My partner makes decisions with his/her prior spouse without discussing them with me first.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 44
*
My personal space and belongings are not respected in this family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 45
*
I am expected to deal with my partner’s prior spouse.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 46
*
We are expected to follow through with sanctions/punishments that were imposed on the kids when they were at their 'other' home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 47
*
Dealing with a prior spouse is one of the most challenging aspects of our life as a stepfamily.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 48
*
It seems that my partner’s prior spouse has as much or more say in this household than I do.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 49
*
My partner and I are at odds with one another over how to manage the kids.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 50
*
I like the people living in this family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 51
*
Our home is very noisy.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 52
*
There is a great deal of conflict in our home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 53
*
Our home is characterized by high levels of aggression.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 54
*
Our home is characterized by high levels of misbehaviour.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 55
*
There is a great deal of tension in our home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 56
*
Our home is characterized by high levels of unhappiness.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 57
*
I have an erratic schedule at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 58
*
There is a great deal of sadness in our home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 59
*
At home I feel personally isolated.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 60
*
Our home is characterized by high levels of distrust.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 61
*
I don’t seem to be able to get much done at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 62
*
Lately, I have been dreading going home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 63
*
I am bored at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 64
*
Lately, I find myself getting behind in the work that I need to do around the house.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 65
*
I’ve been having accidents at home, lately.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 66
*
The quality of my parenting/stepparenting is good.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 67
*
Recently, I have been staying away from home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 68
*
I find my home life interesting and/or exciting.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 69
*
I can concentrate on the things I need to at home.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 70
*
At home, I tend to make errors or mistakes in the things I am doing.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 71
*
Lately, I am easily irritated.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 72
*
Lately, I have been depressed.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 73
*
Lately, I have been feeling anxious.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 74
*
I have been happy lately.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 75
*
So many thoughts run through my head at night that I have trouble falling asleep.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 76
*
Lately, I respond badly in situations that normally wouldn’t bother me.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 77
*
I find myself complaining about little things.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 78
*
Lately, I have been worrying.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 79
*
I have a good sense of humour.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 80
*
Things are going about as well as they should.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 81
*
I wish I had more time to spend with close friends.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 82
*
I quarrel with my spouse.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 83
*
I quarrel with my friends.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 84
*
My spouse and I are happy together.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 85
*
Lately, I do things by myself instead of with other people.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 86
*
I quarrel with members of my family.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 87
*
Lately, my relationships with people are good.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 88
*
I find that I need time to myself to work out my problems.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 89
*
I wish I had more time to spend by myself.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 90
*
I have been withdrawing from people lately.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 91
*
I have unplanned weight gains.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 92
*
My eating habits are erratic.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 93
*
I find myself drinking a lot lately.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 94
*
Lately, I have been tired.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 95
*
I have been feeling tense.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 96
*
I have trouble falling and staying asleep.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 97
*
I have aches and pains that I cannot explain.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 98
*
I eat the wrong foods.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 99
*
I feel apathetic (i.e., lacking interest or concern, indifferent).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 100
*
I feel lethargic (i.e., sluggish, lacking energy).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 101
*
When I need a vacation, I take one.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 102
*
I am able to do what I want to do in my free time.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 103
*
On weekends, I spend time doing the things I most enjoy.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 104
*
Lately, my main recreational activity is watching television.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 105
*
A lot of my free time is spent attending performances (e.g., sports, theater, movies, concerts, etc.).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 106
*
I spend a lot of my free time in participant activities (e.g., sports, music, painting, sewing, woodworking, etc.).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 107
*
I spend a lot of my time in community activities (e.g., scouts, religious, school, local, government, etc.).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 108
*
I find engaging in recreational activities relaxing.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 109
*
I spend enough time in recreational activities to satisfy my needs.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 110
*
I spend a lot of my free time on my hobbies.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 111
*
I am careful about my diet (e.g., eating regularly, in moderation and with good nutrition in mind).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 112
*
I get regular physical checkups.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 113
*
I avoid excessive use of alcohol.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 114
*
I exercise regularly (at least 20 minutes most days).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 115
*
I practice 'relaxation' techniques.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 116
*
I get the sleep I need.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 117
*
I avoid consuming things that I know are unhealthy (e.g., coffee, tea, cigarettes, etc.)
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 118
*
I engage in meditation.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 119
*
I practice 'deep breathing' exercises a few minutes several times each day.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 120
*
I set aside time to do the things I really enjoy.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 121
*
There is at least one person who is important to me who really values me.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 122
*
I have help with tasks around the house.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 123
*
I have help with the important things that have to be done.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 124
*
There is at least one sympathetic person with whom I can discuss my concerns.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 125
*
There is at least one sympathetic person with whom I can discuss my family problems.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 126
*
I feel I have at least one good friend I can count on.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 127
*
I feel loved.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 128
*
There is a person with whom I feel really close.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 129
*
I have a circle of friends who value me.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 130
*
I gain personal benefit from participating in social groups (e.g., religious, political. professional organizations, etc.).
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 131
*
I am able to put my family concerns out of my mind when I go to work.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 132
*
I don’t feel that I am stuck in my current situation.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 133
*
I periodically re-examine or reorganize my way of doing things and my schedule.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 134
*
I am able to set priorities for the use of my time.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 135
*
Once my priorities are set, I am able to stick to them.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 136
*
I have techniques that I use to avoid being distracted.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 137
*
I can identify the important elements of the problems I encounter.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 138
*
When problems arise, I use a systematic problem-solving approach.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 139
*
When a decision is necessary, I usually try to think through the consequences of the choices available to me.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
Question 140
*
I try hard to be self-reflective; to be aware of the ways I behave in the things I do.
Rarely or never true
Occasionally true
Often true
Usually true
True most of the time
All finished!
Please hit the "Submit" button below to forward your responses for scoring. If any items have been missed, they will be highlighted in pink to make it easy for you to find and complete them before hitting the submit button again.
Contact the Stepfamily Foundation of Alberta for a report of your results.
Our contact information is as follows:
web:
www.stepfamily.ca
email:
info@stepfamily.ca
phone: (403) 245-5744
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