What the SFCS measures
Originally identified in the spouses of alcoholics, Codependency is a psychological framework where an individual relies entirely on another person for their sense of identity, value, and emotional stability. The codependent individual becomes the "rescuer" or "martyr," enabling their partner's toxic behavior (addiction, narcissism, irresponsibility) because fixing the partner gives the codependent their only sense of purpose.
The dimensions it assesses
- Extreme Focus Outside the Self: An inability to define one's own needs, desires, or feelings independent of the partner.
- Lack of Open Expression: Suppression of one's own voice to avoid conflict or abandonment.
- Attempts to Control: Manipulative or obsessive behaviors aimed at managing the partner's life (often disguised as "helping" or "caring").
Already have a SFCS score from somewhere else? Look it up without retaking the questionnaire.
What your score means
Scores on the SFCS are interpreted against the ranges below, which come from the instrument's published validation research rather than from us.
| Score | Interpretation | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 16 – 43 | Low Codependency | Healthy autonomy. High capacity for interdependence without losing self-identity. |
| 44 – 60 | Moderate Codependency | Borderline range. The user has some people-pleasing tendencies and struggles with boundary setting, but can generally function independently. |
| 61 – 96 | High Codependency (Clinical) | Severe enmeshment. The user is entirely dependent on fixing or managing others for their self-worth. High likelihood of being in an abusive or addicted relationship. Requires immediate clinical intervention (e.g., CoDA, therapy). |
These ranges describe groups of people, not individuals. A score near a boundary is not meaningfully different from one just across it, and no range on this table is a diagnosis.
What to do with your result
- The Enabling Truth: High scorers must be confronted with the clinical reality that their "helping" is actually "enabling." By rescuing an addict or narcissist from the consequences of their actions, the codependent ensures the toxic behavior will never stop.
- Boundary Formulation: The therapeutic goal is not to stop caring, but to establish boundaries. A boundary is not controlling the other person (e.g., "You can't drink"). A boundary is controlling oneself (e.g., "If you drink around me, I will leave the house").
- Referral Routing: Scores > 60 should trigger an immediate, automated recommendation to Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) or Al-Anon, which use the 12-step model to break the addiction to other people.
Common questions about the SFCS
- What does the SFCS measure?
- Measurement of Codependency: a dysfunctional relationship pattern characterized by an extreme external focus, loss of self, and compulsive attempts to control or rescue a dysfunctional partner.
- Can the SFCS diagnose me?
- No. Codependency (SFCS) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.
- How long does the SFCS take?
- 16 questions, which most people finish in 3 – 5 minutes. There is no time limit, and answering honestly matters more than answering quickly. The results page checks for patterns suggesting the questions were rushed.
- Is this SFCS test really free?
- Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.
- Are my answers stored or shared?
- No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.
- How often should I retake the SFCS?
- Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.
- Who created the SFCS, and is this the real version?
- It was published by Spann & Fischer (1990). Published openly; freely reproduced in the literature. The items here are the published ones rather than a paraphrase, and the scoring follows the original rules. Both are documented on this page so they can be checked.
- How accurate is the SFCS?
- Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.
Sources
Rights held by Spann & Fischer (1990). Developed and validated by the researchers cited below.
- Fischer, J. L., Spann, L., & Crawford, D. (1991). Measuring codependency. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 8(1), 87-100.
- Dear, G. E., Roberts, C. M., & Lange, L. (2004). Defining codependency: An analysis of published definitions. Advances in Psychology Research, 34, 63-79.
Licensing
Public domain. Published openly; freely reproduced in the literature.