A 32-item profile of consensus, satisfaction, cohesion, and affection in a current couple relationship.
Method and research sourcesSpanier's scale describes dyadic adjustment across consensus on important topics, satisfaction and perceived stability, shared activity and conversation, and affectional or sexual expression.
DAS-32 uses several response formats. Each option follows the published 0–5 key, except the kissing and shared-interests items (0–4), two yes/no items (0–1), and the happiness item (0–6). Items 18 and 19 are keyed in the positive direction. The maximum total is 151.
The original paper documents development and scoring; later open validation examines whether the four-factor structure behaves similarly across gender, and a factor-analytic review examines competing structures.
Graham B. Spanier
Susan C. South, Robert F. Krueger, William G. Iacono
James M. Graham, Yolanda J. Liu, Suk-Min Jeziorski
Related resources address communication, attachment, and couple support—not a diagnosis.
Understand what is happening in your relationship, choose a safe conversation, clarify time apart, and consider couples or individual support.
How to move from accusations to one practical issue, take a break without punitive silence, and check whether anything changes after the conversation.
Reflect on feelings, agreement, home life, conflict, tenderness, and overall satisfaction in a marriage or long-term partnership.
Explore attachment-related anxiety and avoidance in romantic relationships with the 36-item Experiences in Close Relationships–Revised.
They may, but only voluntarily. Two scores represent two perspectives; a difference is information for a respectful conversation, not proof that one person is wrong.
No. It is a research flag for possible distress, not a recommendation. Context, safety, goals, and each partner's experience matter.
No. A total score cannot establish safety. Fear, control, threats, sexual coercion, or violence deserve attention regardless of the number.
