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Please ensure that you have considered whether there is evidence of domestic abuse before using the tools in this section:
If you’re unsure…
The following evidence-based tools are specially designed for practitioners to assist them with specific indicators of parental conflict and can be used to contribute towards formal assessments and identifying the appropriate support offer to families.
NB: The tool names in this section (parent problem, acrimony) are not the language we would recommend using however the tools themselves are extremely helpful to assist practitioners to ask the right questions around parental relationships and gain an understanding into the needs of the family. You could refer to these tools as “Relationship Assessment Tools” or something similar.
The Measurement Pathway flowchart (click image to enlarge or download) depicts the order in which the tools should be used and the action to take depending on the score of each tool.
If you need any assistance with using these tools, please contact Ravinder.Kaur@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk
2 assessment tool options (DAS-6 or BACS-8 below)
Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-6)
The Dyadic Adjustment Scale developed by Spanier (1976), featured 32 questions that would provide practitioners with an insight into a couple’s relationship and allow for the identification of factors that may be causing distress. Over the years there have been additional version created that have been based off the original assessment’s questions. These include the DAS-14 developed by Busby et al. (1995) and the DAS-4 developed by Sabourin, 2005.
The DAS-6 aims to provide a screening tool for practitioners to quickly assess relationship distress and conflict. It achieves this through use of the 4 relationship satisfaction questions from the DAS-4 and the two conflict questions from the DAS-14.
You may decide to use this tool when you are concerned about the overall relationship quality of parents especially if there appears to be evidence of parental conflict. If parents are separated and in conflict you should consider using the BACS -8 (above) instead.
Brief Acrimony Scale (BACS 8) for separated parents:
The Parental Acrimony Scale (Emery, 1982) measures the levels of Acrimony (emotional hostility) between separated parents on a range of issues. This tool was condensed and refined by (Rahimullah, 2020) into a shortened screening tool.
Screening should be completed by both sets of parents individually and can help you as a practitioner determine the levels of acrimony from both parents, this will help in determining whether there is awareness of an issue from both parents.
Guidance on how to use the tool
Brief Acrimony Scale for Separated Parents Tool
Brief Acrimony Scale for Separated Parents Tool (electronic version)
Brief Acrimony Scale Matrix (for repeated progress measures)
For both the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-6) and the Brief Acrimony Scale (BACS-8) check the total score on the tool. A score of 20 or above on the DAS-6 tool (couples together) or a score of 21 or above for the BACS-8 (separated couples) indicates relationship distress and will require the next tool (the Parent Problem Checklist -PPC) to be completed.
If the score falls below 20 or 21 respectively, the agency completing the tool can either focus on the areas identified within the tool completed or can monitor the family. Where an agency plans to close the family to the service, it is recommended as part of an exit strategy, that an agency who can monitor the family is identified and make appropriate referrals for support if required.
If the score for the DAS-6 or BACS-8 are above 20/21 respectively then The Parent Problem Checklist (PPC) should be completed.
The Parent Problem Checklist (PPC) developed by Dadds & Powell (1991) is designed to assess the levels of conflict between parents on multiple coparenting issues. This tool can be used with intact or separated couples and can be used in situations where extended family may play a role in coparenting i.e grandparents. You may decide to use this tool in situations where you believe the underlying cause of conflict is related to coparenting.
Parent Problem Checklist Guidance
Parent Problem Checklist (electronic version)
Parent Problem Matrix (for repeated progress measures)
The PPC will provide you with two scores;
Depending on the “problem” and extent score alongside your professional judgement, practitioners can determine whether specialist parental conflict work (score 6+ or professional judgement) is required, or parenting work is more appropriate.
This tool can be completed with children and young people aged 9 years and over as part of wider assessment work to gather the views of the child/young person to inform the assessment and support plan.
The Children’s Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale examines the views of children aged 9-17 years, regarding parental conflict. The assessment should be completed alone with the child with parental consent. The tool provides information about the child’s views regarding in the following areas:
The tool will automatically calculate the score for you.
Children’s Perception of Interparental Conflict Tool Guidance
Guidance and Toolkit created by Devon Children’s Social Care