The Rootedness Scale

(McAndrew, 1998)

 

Please read each of the following statements, and indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement by writing the appropriate number in the space provided.  Use one of the following numbers:

                                    5 = Strongly Agree

                                    4 = Agree

                                    3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree

                                    2 = Disagree

                                    1 = Strongly Disagree

Fill in the blank before each statement with the number that comes closest to expressing your feelings.  Some of the questions ask about your hometown.  If you have moved frequently and lived in several different places, answer the questions according to how you feel about the place that you most strongly identify with as your hometown.

 

_______ 1. Moving from Place to Place is exciting and fun.

 

_______ 2. I am extremely satisfied with my present home.

 

_______ 3. Living close to certain natural features such as the ocean or mountains is very important to me.

 

_______ 4. My family is very close-knit and I would be unhappy if I could not see them on a regular basis.

 

_______ 5. I could not be happy living in one place for the rest of my life.

 

_______ 6. I have several close, life-long friends that I never want to lose.

 

_______ 7. I like going places where no one knows me.

 

_______ 8. I love to reminisce about the places I played when I was child.

 

_______ 9. There is not much of a future for me in my hometown.

 

_______ 10. Being homeless is one of the greatest tragedies a person can experience.

 

_______ 11. Most of the people that I knew when I was growing up have moved away.

 

Scoring

Question #10 is a filler item;  All other even numbered items make up the “Home/Family” subscale of the rootedness scale.  All odd numbered items make up the “Desire for Change” subscale.  Total scores for each the two scales can be obtained simply by summing up the numerical answers for each subscale.  Scores on the Home/Family Subscale can range from a low of 4 to a high of 20.  Scores on the Desire for Change Subscale can range from a low of six to a high of 30.

 

Under most circumstances, a number of filler items should be added to the scale in order to make the intent of the questionnaire  less obvious to the person filling it out.