Test: SSI Intro

The Stepfamily Stress Inventory (SSI)

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Introduction:

The SSI is a test in development. It was designed to assess a number of factors that we believe are important for the effective functioning of stepfamilies. Our hope is that when the SSI is in its final form, it will:

a) enable us to quickly and accurately identify specific factors causing stress in a particular stepfamily so that

b) effective interventions can be prescribed to relieve the stepfamily's stress.

An invitation:

If you are a stepparent, you are invited to partner with us in the development of the SSI by anonymously completing the Research Version of the SSI that appears below. The ratings you provide will be incorporated into the data base that will provide the norms for this test. Your efforts here today will help countless stepfamilies in the years to come.

Directions:

There are four parts. In all four parts, you simply select the correct answer, or the option that best fits your circumstances. Please note that every item requires an answer. Accordingly, select: "0" or "does not apply" or "not applicable" for items that do not pertain to your situation.

    Part 1: asks for information about the membership of your stepfamily.

    Part A: looks at a number of specific stepfamily situations. [60 questions]

    Part B: focuses upon the way these situations impact you. [40 questions]

    Part C: examines the strategies you use in various situations. [40 questions]

In total, there are 140 test items. It will likely take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete the entire test.

A gift for you:

When you submit your answers at the end of Part C, you will be automatically directed to a site that will tell you how to claim a gift that we would like to give you as a token of our appreciation for your time and help.

Begin with Part 1 immediately below. Simply follow the instructions provided.

The Stepfamily Stress Inventory (SSI)

Research Version

Part 1: Stepfamily Membership

Read each statement carefully and select the choice that fits you or your circumstances best. Please answer all items.

The Couple:

Your gender
Your age

Your partner's gender
Your partner's age

Number of years living together as a stepfamily
Number of years married

The Children:

Number of "full-time" children living in your home at present

Number of "part-time" children living in your home at present

Number of "his" children living (full-time) in your home at present

Number of "her" children living (full-time) in your home at present

Number of "our" children (i.e. those you have had together) living (full-time) in your home at present

Number of "his" children living (part-time) in your home at present

Number of "her" children living (part-time) in your home at present

Number of "our" children (i.e. those you have had together) living (part-time) in your home at present

Number of "his" children who live elsewhere (full-time)

Number of "her" children who live elsewhere (full-time)

Number of "our" children who live elsewhere (full-time)

For the next nine items:

1) Hold down the "Control" key the entire time you are working on the next nine items (to allow multiple selections.)

2) Select all of the options that apply for each question. Thanks.

The ages of "his" children living (full-time) in your home at present

The ages of "her" children living (full-time) in your home at present

The ages of "our" children living (full-time) in your home at present

The ages of "his" children living (part-time) in your home at present

The ages of "her" children living (part-time) in your home at present

The ages of "our" children living (part-time) in your home at present

The ages of "his" children living elsewhere (full-time)

The ages of "her" children living elsewhere (full-time)

The ages of "our" children living elsewhere (full-time)

Thanks. It's OK to release the "control" key now.

Ages of "his" kids full-time in home
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
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39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "her" kids full-time in home
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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16
17
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20
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28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "our" kids full-time in home
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
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20
21
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25
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "his" kids part-time in home
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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20
21
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "her" kids part-time in home
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
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8
9
10
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "our" kids part-time in home
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
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21
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25
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29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "his" kids living elsewhere full-time
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "her" kids living elsewhere full-time
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old

Ages of "our" kids living elsewhere full-time
does not apply
less than 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
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21
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30
31
32
33
34
35
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40
1 over 40 years old
2 over 40 years old
3 over 40 years old
4 or more over 40 years old