Scientific background: Family Function
About this test
The Family APGAR was developed in 1978 by family physician Gabriel Smilkstein to quickly assess family function in a primary care setting -- named after the well-known APGAR score from obstetrics. The name is an acronym for the five areas it covers: Adaptation (support), Partnership (communication), Growth, Affection, and Resolve (shared time/connectedness). Studies consistently show high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha .80-.90) and good test-retest reliability. Factor analyses suggest the five items mostly capture a single, global dimension of "satisfaction with family" rather than five separate constructs.
Dimensions
Satisfaction with Family Function
Sum across all five items (0–10 points).
Sources & license
Smilkstein, G. (1978). The family APGAR: A proposal for a family function test and its use by physicians. The Journal of Family Practice, 6(6), 1231–1239.
The Family APGAR is public domain and may be used without permission; citing the original source is requested. Item wording and the official 0-3/4-6/7-10 scoring bands were verified verbatim against the original 1978 article.