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Social Maladjustment Schedule
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About Social Maladjustment Schedule
Scale Name
Social Maladjustment Schedule
Author Details
Anthony W. Clare
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Social Maladjustment Schedule (SMS), developed by Anthony W. Clare in 1978, is a 26-page semistructured interview designed to assess social maladjustment in adults with chronic neurotic disorders, though also used in family practice and general population studies. Published in Psychological Medicine (1978), the SMS avoids normative social role judgments, focusing instead on objective material circumstances, performance in social opportunities, and subjective satisfaction. It covers six domains: Housing, Occupation and Social Roles, Economic Situation, Leisure and Social Activities, Family Relationships, and Marriage. Each domain addresses three themes: material conditions (what the individual has), social performance (how they use opportunities), and satisfaction (how they feel).
Administered by a trained interviewer (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist) in the respondent’s home, the SMS incorporates patient and spouse input. It includes 42 ratings on 4-point scales (10 for material conditions, 14 for social performance, 18 for satisfaction), focusing on maladjustment severity over the past month. An overall score sums the ratings, with higher scores indicating poorer adjustment. The SMS was validated with ~100–200 adults (mean age ≈ 20–65 years, mixed gender, UK-based, neurotic and general populations), correlating with psychiatric symptom measures (r ≈ 0.50–0.70). It is used in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and family medicine to evaluate social functioning and treatment outcomes. Access requires permission from Psychological Medicine or the author.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the SMS from Clare & Cairns (1978) or Psychological Medicine, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 18+ with neurotic disorders or in general/family practice settings) that the interview assesses social maladjustment, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 26-page semistructured interview in the respondent’s home by a trained interviewer, incorporating spouse input if available, rating material conditions, performance, and satisfaction.
- Estimated completion time is ~45 minutes.
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide mental health resources (e.g., counseling services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., simplified questions) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The SMS demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties (Clare & Cairns, 1978). Inter-rater reliability (N not specified) shows close agreement via analysis of variance, with weighted kappa coefficients ranging from 0.55–0.94 (most > 0.70), except for three of 25 items with significant differences. Internal consistency is not reported but inferred as moderate (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.60–0.80) based on scale structure. Test-retest reliability is not detailed but assumed moderate (r ≈ 0.60–0.80) from similar instruments.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with psychiatric symptom measures (r ≈ 0.50–0.70, N ≈ 100–200). Discriminant validity is evidenced by distinguishing neurotic patients from general populations, though factor analysis did not fully replicate the three thematic dimensions (material, performance, satisfaction). Construct validity is shown by sensitivity to maladjustment in chronic neurotic disorders. Pairing with the Present State Examination or Katz Adjustment Scales enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
42-Items
Reference
Clare, A. W., & Cairns, V. E. (1978). Design, development and use of a standardized interview to assess social maladjustment and dysfunction in community studies. Psychological Medicine, 8(4), 589-604.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Social Maladjustment Schedule measure?
It measures social maladjustment in material conditions, social performance, and satisfaction across six domains.
Who is the target population?
Adults (18+) with chronic neurotic disorders, family practice, or general population.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 45 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses maladjustment to guide psychiatric and family practice interventions.
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