Introduction and preliminary validation of the family toxicity scale

Toxic family environments are not adequately measured in many preexisting scales like the ACEs. The current study sought to provide an adequate measure for assessing toxic family environments, a potentially important yet understudied aspect of childhood adversity. A sample of 1,997 participants from two separate sources completed the Family Toxicity Scale (FTS; α = .97), alongside the ACES-10 and a series of mental health and demographic items. Results supported a one-factor solution for the FTS, with partial scalar invariance demonstrated between genders. Furthermore, the FTS is distinct from the ACEs, and predicts important adulthood outcomes like depressive symptomology and mental health diagnostic status. Findings suggest the FTS could be used alongside existing abuse measures to assess childhood toxic family environments.