Screening Test for Children

What Is the BF-Child-AWBS-24?
 

[Click to take the assessment]

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The Blended Family–Child–Adaptation and Well-Being Scale (BF-Child-AWBS-24) is a 24-question self-assessment designed to explore your experiences as a child—minor or adult—living in a blended family system.

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It looks at four key areas that shape how well you’re adjusting emotionally and socially to life in a blended family: your relationship with your biological parent, your relationship with your stepparent, your sense of family belonging, and your emotional well-being at home.
 

Who Is It For?
 

You might consider taking this screener if you:
 

• Are a child, teen, or adult navigating life in a blended family 

• Sometimes feel caught between different parents or households

• Have trouble connecting with your stepparent or feeling understood by your biological parent

• Struggle with feeling “on the outside” of your family or unsure about your place in it

• Want to understand your feelings better—or just put words to what’s been going on
   

What You’ll Learn
 

This inventory can help you better understand your emotional experience in your blended family. It explores:
 

• Communication, trust, and closeness with your biological parent

• Your relationship with your stepparent, including comfort and connection

• How included and accepted you feel as part of your family unit

• Whether your home feels emotionally secure, stable, and supportive
   

By completing the assessment, you’ll get a clearer picture of which parts of your blended family life feel strong—and which parts might still feel uncertain, disconnected, or stressful.
 

What the Results Mean
 

Your responses will generate a total score and four subscale scores, one for each area of family life.
 

• Higher scores usually mean things are going well—you likely feel secure, connected, and emotionally supported.

• Lower scores may reflect stress, distance, or ongoing tension in some relationships or parts of your home life.

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Score Breakdown for TOTAL scores:

24–57: Severe challenges in blended family life

58–91: Moderate challenges in blended family life

92–120: Mild challenges in blended family life

Score Breakdown for all SUBSCALE scores:

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6–13: Severe Strain 

14–22: Moderate Strain

23–30: Mild Strain 
 

Each subscale helps highlight where you feel most steady and where you may need more support, communication, or care.

 

1. Relationship with Biological Parent
 

6–13: Severe Strain – You may feel misunderstood, distant, or disconnected from your biological parent, with communication or emotional support being limited.

14–22: Moderate Strain – While some positive communication may exist, you might still struggle to feel truly understood or supported by your biological parent.

23–30: Mild Strain – You likely share a close, supportive, and open relationship with your biological parent, with frequent meaningful communication and emotional connection.

2. Relationship with Stepparent
 

6–13: Severe Strain – You may feel uncomfortable or distant from your stepparent, with limited communication or difficulty building a trusting relationship.

14–22: Moderate Strain – Some positive interactions may exist, but emotional closeness or trust might still be a work in progress with your stepparent.

23–30: Mild Strain – You and your stepparent likely have a strong and positive relationship, characterized by mutual respect, open communication, and emotional support.

3. Family Identity & Cohesion
 

6–13: Severe Strain – You might feel excluded or disconnected from the family, struggling to see yourself as part of the blended unit, and experiencing tension or conflict.

14–22: Moderate Strain – You may feel partially included, but there may still be moments of exclusion or uncertainty about your role and place within the family.

23–30: Mild Strain – You likely feel a strong sense of belonging and connection with your blended family, enjoying quality time together and feeling supported by family members.

4. Emotional Security & Adaptation
 

6–13: Severe Strain – You may feel unsafe or stressed at home, with emotional conflicts or a lack of support during tough times.

14–22: Moderate Strain – While you might generally feel safe, you may still experience stress or anxiety about family changes or conflicts that impact your emotional well-being.

23–30: Mild Strain – You likely feel secure and supported at home, with your family helping you through tough times and providing emotional stability.
 

Remember:
 

This screener isn’t here to tell you what’s “right” or “wrong.” It’s a reflection tool—a way for you to get insight into your experience, name what’s working, and notice what might feel hard.
 

Taking the First Step
 

Being part of a blended family can be full of new relationships, shifting roles, and complicated emotions. That’s normal—and it’s okay if it feels confusing sometimes.
 

This screener is here to help you put words to what you’re feeling so you can understand yourself better—and, if needed, take steps toward more support.
 

Need Support?

If your results raise concerns—or confirm things you’ve been sensing—therapy can help.
Whether it’s one-on-one or as a family, talking to someone can give you tools to manage stress, speak up more clearly, and build stronger, more connected relationships at home.