This video covers RDAS - the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale - a tool considered to be the gold standard in marital and relationship counselling. To
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." - Leo Tolstoy.
But in psychology, how do we measure that unhappiness? Is there a scientific way to quantify the quality of a marriage?
Welcome to this comprehensive guide on the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). Whether you are an individual trying to understand how to improve your relationship, a psychology student preparing for exams, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) looking for better intake tools, or a researcher studying relationship dynamics, this video is your ultimate resource.
📝 What is the RDAS?
The RDAS is a 14-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the quality of marital and cohabiting relationships. It is a streamlined revision of Spanier's original 32-item Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). In this video, we explore why the revision was necessary, how it improves upon the original, and why it has become a gold standard in clinical practice.
🔑 Key Concepts Covered
We break down the three critical subscales that form the hierarchy of relationship adjustment:
- Dyadic Consensus: How often do partners agree on major life decisions like finances, religion, and career paths?
- Dyadic Satisfaction: How stable is the relationship? Do the partners regret marrying? How well do they handle conflict?
- Dyadic Cohesion: The "we-ness" factor. Do partners engage in shared activities and positive interactions?
📊 Scoring & Interpretation
One of the most valuable parts of the RDAS is its clear clinical cut-off. We discuss the "Magic Number 48."
- Score 48 or more: Generally indicates a non-distressed, adjusted relationship.
- Score less than 48: Indicates relationship distress and a potential need for clinical intervention.
🧠 What you will Learn
In These Videos, You Will Learn:
- Part 1:
- History: The evolution from Graham Spanier's 1976 DAS to the 1995 Busby et al. revision.
- Psychometric Properties: RDAS has high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha greater than .90) and strong discriminant validity.
- Part 2:
- Administration: How to administer the test in just 5-10 minutes without causing client fatigue.
- Application: How to use RDAS scores to create a treatment plan and monitor therapy progress.
📚 Reference
Busby, D. M., Christensen, C., Crane, D. R., & Larson, J. H. (1995). A revision of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale for use with distressed and non-distressed couples: Construct hierarchy and multidimensional scales. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 21(3), 289-308.
📢 Join the Conversation
Have you use the RDAS to assess your relationship? Have you used the RDAS in your practice? Do you prefer it over the longer DAS? Let us know in the comments below!
IMPORTANT LINKS
#Psychology #CouplesTherapy #RDAS #Psychometrics #MentalHealth #MarriageCounseling #PsychStudent #ClinicalPsychology #RelationshipScience #AssessmentTools #FreePsychometrics
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