Measuring relationship strength in roommates with MR/DD: the development of the Roommate Friendship Scale (RFS)

Most people with mental retardation who live in government-funded housing have roommates. Roommate relationships are significant determinants of quality of life, but current methods of roommate selection generally do not prioritize roommate compatibility. One problem is that inadequate research has been conducted on roommate relationships. In order to improve the process of roommate selection, research is needed. The purpose of this investigation was to identify an important and neglected study topic and to facilitate new research by developing a scale to measure the strength of roommate relationships. The Roommate Friendship Scale (RFS) has a stable internal structure, is reliable, and has demonstrated the ability to differentiate between compatible and incompatible roommates. The scale items are included in this report.