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Social Functioning Schedule
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About Social Functioning Schedule
Scale Name
Social Functioning Schedule
Author Details
Marina Remington and Peter J. Tyrer
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Social Functioning Schedule (SFS), developed by Marina Remington and Peter J. Tyrer in 1979, is a 121-item semistructured interview designed to assess difficulties in 12 areas of social functioning for neurotic outpatients, though applicable to other psychiatric populations. Published in Psychological Medicine (1979), the SFS adopts a role performance approach, focusing on patient-reported difficulties relative to personal expectations rather than normative standards. The 12 sections cover Employment, Household Chores, Contribution to Household, Money, Self-Care, Marital Relationship, Care of Children, Patient-Child Relationships, Patient-Parent and Household Relationships, Social Contacts, Hobbies, and Spare Time Activities. Sections on employment, household chores, money, and spare time are subdivided into management problems and resulting distress.
Conducted by a psychologist or physician, the interviewer uses suggested questions, adapting as needed, and rates difficulties on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from “none” to “severe difficulties” (converted to numerical scores). Ratings reflect the past four weeks (six months for employment), and irrelevant sections are omitted. An overall score averages relevant subsection scores, with lower scores indicating better adjustment. The SFS was validated with 171–200 patients (mean age ≈ 20–60 years, mixed gender, UK-based, neurotic and other psychiatric diagnoses), correlating with the Present State Examination (PSE) (r = 0.69–0.75). It is used in clinical psychology and psychiatry to evaluate treatment outcomes and social functioning. Access requires permission from Dr. Peter Tyrer or Psychological Medicine.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the SFS from Remington & Tyrer (1979) or Dr. Peter Tyrer, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (neurotic outpatients or other psychiatric patients, 18+) that the interview assesses difficulties in social functioning, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 121-item semistructured interview in a clinical setting by a trained psychologist or physician, adapting questions to elicit sufficient information, rating difficulties on a VAS for relevant sections.
- Estimated completion time is 10–20 minutes.
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide mental health resources (e.g., counseling services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., simplified language) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SFS demonstrates moderate psychometric properties (Remington & Tyrer, 1979). Inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlations, N not specified) ranges from 0.45–0.81 across sections (average = 0.62). Patient-spouse rating correlations range from 0.45–0.80 (N not specified). Internal consistency is not reported but inferred as moderate (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.60–0.70) based on scale structure.
Discriminant validity is supported by the SFS distinguishing personality-disordered patients from other psychiatric outpatients and non-patients (N not specified), and psychiatric cases from non-cases in 171 general practice patients. It also differentiates urban vs. rural functioning and depression vs. anxiety (N not specified). Convergent validity is evidenced by correlations with the PSE (r = 0.69–0.75) and a 5-point alcohol consumption indicator (r = 0.65, N = 27). The SFS shows sensitivity to pre-treatment differences in phobia, anxiety, and depression. Pairing with the PSE or Symptom Checklist-90 enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
121-Items
Reference
Remington, M., & Tyrer, P. (1979). The social functioning schedule—A brief semi-structured interview. Social Psychiatry, 14(3), 151-157.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Social Functioning Schedule measure?
It measures patient-reported difficulties in 12 areas of social functioning, focusing on neurotic outpatients.
Who is the target population?
Neurotic outpatients or other psychiatric patients (18+) in clinical settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10–20 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it evaluates social functioning to guide psychiatric treatment planning.
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