Psychometric properties of the FACES IV package for Spanish adolescents

The family plays an essential role in the life of an adolescent. Hence, an acceptable understanding and an evaluation of family functioning is fundamental for effective interventions with adolescents in the psychological, social, and educational fields. The main purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV), the Family Communication Scale (FCS), and the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS), for assessing the family functioning of Spanish adolescents. The sample was comprised of 1187 adolescents between 14 ?18 years old (49.96% boys and 50.04% girls; M = 16.17; SD = 1.31) from Castile and Leon (Spain), selected from 23 educational centers, 10 university degree courses, and 18 specific juvenile centers for adolescents with either family or behavioral problems. The scales of Balanced Cohesion, Balanced Flexibility and Disengaged showed good convergent validity, while Enmeshed, Rigid, and Chaotic did not. For this reason some items were removed, obtaining a shortened version of FACES IV, that demonstrated acceptable reliability, and good convergent and predictive validity. The FCS and FSS scales yielded excellent psychometric properties. The results confirmed the factorial structure of the FACES IV, its transcultural applicability, and its validity for different ages. The hypotheses of the circumplex model were confirmed, except for the dysfunctionality of two scales, Enmeshed and Rigid, that contrary to what was expected, showed positive correlations with Family Communication, Family Satisfaction, Balanced Cohesion, and Balanced Flexibility. In brief, our results present the FACES IV package as a useful instrument for the assessment of family functioning of Spanish adolescents. Future studies will be necessary to confirm the trend observed for the two aforementioned scales among adolescents. (AU)

A Study on Family Function Assessment and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire of Parents with Cleft Lip and Palate Children / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To explore the family function and simple coping style of parents with cleft lip and palate, and to promote the improvement of their emotional and family problems, and to provide some basis for the prevention of psychological problems in children with cleft lip and palate. Methods A total of 79 parents of cleft lip and cleft palate children under 6 years old were surveyed by means of family function scale and simple coping style scale.Results The was statistical significance in the correlation analysis of family function scale, solve the problem of (r=0.237, P ＜ 0.05), behavioral control (r=0.267, P ＜ 0.05). Simple coping style scale correlation analysis of positive coping in age of parents and parents showed significant statistical difference (r=-0.246, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Parents of children with cleft lip and palate have poor ability to deal with emotional reaction and problem solving when stimulating, such as emotional and emotional expression and confession, family members' lack of information communication and language communication, etc, in the face of unexpected events and dangerous situations, the behavior control model is not good, and it is easy to be at a loss; and the older parents are, the fewer positive coping styles they take. The family function and coping style of parents are of great significance to the physical and mental health of children with cleft lip and palate, and psychological intervention should be carried out in time.

A case control study on family functionality and coping mechanisms among healthy siblings of pediatric patients with Leukemia in Kythe-affiliated hospitals in the Philippines

Background@#Leukemia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among pediatric patients in the Philippines, but it also significantly affects family dynamics and behaviors. Aside from the parents, siblings are also vulnerable to the effects of a chronic disease within the family but are not usually the topic of family studies.@*Objective@#To determine if having control-oriented or escape-oriented coping mechanisms is associated with the different levels and dimensions of family functioning among children ages 13 to 18 years old who have siblings diagnosed with leukemia.@*Methodology@#This case control study was conducted in two Kythe-affiliated hospitals in Luzon, Philippines. Using McMaster Family Assessment Device, adolescent siblings of leukemia patients who belong to dysfunctional families (n=8) were considered as the cases, while siblings who belong to functional families (n=5) were the controls. KidCOPE was used to identify coping mechanisms. Odds ratio for escape- and control-oriented coping mechanisms were computed using Fisher’s exact test through MedCalc, while association of coping mechanisms with demographics was determined using Chi square test through SAS 9.4.@*Results@#Siblings of leukemia patients who belong to dysfunctional families are more likely to use escape-oriented coping mechanism (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 0.0746 to 64.9082; p = 0.648) but also more likely to feel that it is not helpful to them (OR = 0.6471; 95% CI = 0.0111 to 37.6665; p = 0.8337). However, an association between coping mechanisms and family functionality cannot be established because the computed odds ratios are not significant. A significant association was found between the number of extended family members living with the sibling and efficiency of control-oriented coping mechanisms (p = 0.024).@*Conclusion@#Association between coping mechanisms of adolescent siblings of leukemia patients and family functionality was not established, but further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this.

Study on Family Function of Children with Cerebral Palsy / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To analyze the type of family function of children with cerebral palsy. Methods The data collected from 206 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Results The Total Function dimension was as the characteristic value in the family function. The result showed that children's family function could be divided into three types, namely, Problem Solving (M=26.5402), Effective Communication (M=23.4719) and Emotional Intervention (M=33.3750). Problem Solving (47.28%) and Effective Communication (48.37%) were the main types. Conclusion Family function of children with cerebral palsy can be mainly divided into Problem Solving and Effective Communica-tion, less of Emotional Intervention.

Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento para la evaluación de los subsistemas familiares de pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados por enfermedad crónica (eSisFam) / Development and validity of an instrument for the assessment of family subsystems of hospitalized pediatric patients by chronic illness (eSisFam)

ANTECEDENTES: La teoría sistémica de la familia plantea que en ésta existen tres subsistemas: conyugal, parental y filial, los cuales responden, según su particular función, cuando uno de los miembros en edad pediátrica enfrenta alguna enfermedad crónica que amenaza su vida. La evaluación de las familias en un contexto hospitalario institucional presenta distintos desafíos debido al tiempo mínimo necesario para obtener un diagnóstico preciso y por la escasez de recursos humanos preparados para dichas tareas.OBJETIVO: Desarrollar y validar un instrumento para la evaluación de los subsistemas familiares durante la hospitalización a causa de una enfermedad crónica pediátrica (eSisFam).MÉTODO: A partir de la bibliografía y de instrumentos conocidos de funcionamiento familiar, se conformó uno nuevo de cuatro secciones: sistema general y subsistemas conyugal, parental y filial. Participaron 312 cuidadores primarios de pacientes crónicos internados en un hospital público pediátrico. Los reactivos tipo Likert con cuatro opciones de respuesta, fueron contestados en un programa de cómputo. Se determinó la validez de contenido, de constructo y la confiabilidad.RESULTADOS: La validez de contenido arrojó más del 80% de acuerdo interjueces. La validez de constructo por análisis factorial exploratorio identificó tres causas del sistema general (cohesión, comunicación y adaptación), dos del subsistema conyugal (relación afectivo-sexual y distanciamiento-infidelidad), tres del parental (bienestar, responsabilidad compartida y cuidado de los hermanos) y tres del filial (bienestar, conocimiento de la enfermedad y aceptación-participación) con coeficientes alfa de Cronbach superiores a 0.80.DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN: El instrumento desarrollado (eSisFam) es válido y confiable para una evaluación general del sistema familiar y de los subsistemas conyugal, parental y filial. La medida podrá ser utilizada en el hospital de pediatría para la detección temprana de situaciones familiares que pudieran interferir con la atención médica del niño o adolescente.

BACKGROUND: According to the family systems model, the family consists of three main subsystems: marital, parental and filial, all of which perform specific functions. A chronic pediatric illness presents challenges to these subsystems leading family members to make the necessary adjustments in order to maintain system balance. The evaluation of families in a public hospital setting is hampered by time constraints and limited human resources to carry out a precise evaluation.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a practical instrument for, evaluation of family subsystems during the hospitalization of a pediatric patient with a chronic illness (eSisFam).METHOD: Based on a review of scientific literature and well-known family functioning instruments, a new measure with four sections was developed: the general system and the marital, parental and filial subsystems. This was applied to 312 primary caregivers of chronically ill hospitalized pediatric patients in a public pediatric hospital. Likert-type items with four response options were self-administered with a computer program. Content validity, construct validity and reliability were assessed.RESULTS: Content validity was obtained by 80% agreement between judges. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis, resulting in three factors for the general system (cohesion, communication and adaptation); two for the marital subsystem (affective-sexual relationship and distancing-infidelity); three for the parental subsystem (well-being, shared responsibility and care of siblings), and three for the filial subsystem (well-being, illness knowledge and acceptation-participation). We assessed the internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficients; these were higher than 0.80 in all subscales.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The instrument (eSisfam) that was developed is a valid and reliable measure to assess general family system functioning and marital, parental and filial subsystems. This measure could be used in pediatric hospitals for the early detection of family situations that might interfere with child or adolescent medical attention.

Multicultural Evidence-Based Assessment Using the Achenbach System Of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) For Ages ½-90+ / Evaluación multicultural Basada en evidencia usando el achenbach system of empirically based assessment (ASEBA) para edades ½ - 90+

Evidence-based assessment is a prerequisite for evidence-based mental health services. This article reviews the development, components, and multicultural applications of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). The ASEBA includes standardized forms for obtaining self-and collateral-reports of evidence for behavioral, emotional, social, and thought problems and strengths. The problems are scored on empirically based syndromes and DSM-oriented scales. The syndromes have been supported by confirmatory factor analyses of ASEBA data from 54 societies. The strengths are scored on competence, adaptive functioning, and personal strengths scales. Translations of ASEBA forms are available in more than 100 languages. Reports of the ASEBA's use have been published for more than 100 societies and cultural groups. Multicultural norms incorporate data from population samples in 54 societies. ASEBA software enables users to systematically compare data from self- and informant-reports regarding the person being assessed. The Multicultural Family Assessment Module (MFAM) compares scores for children and their parents in relation to norms for age, gender, the type of informant, and user-selected societies. Standardized multicultural evidence-based assessment facilitates communication and collaboration between mental health providers and researchers around the world.

Spanish adaptation of the Differentiation Of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R) / Adaptación al español del Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R)

This study introduces the Spanish Differentiation of Self Inventory(S-DSI) version, a 26 item measure, consisting of 2 subscales-Emotional Reactivity and Emotional Cutoff-focusing on adults (ages 25+) and their significant relationships, including current relations with family of origin. Translation of DSI into Spanish was conducted using a back translation method, with two independent teams for translation into Spanish and back-translation into English. A sample of 1047 adult men and women (living in Spain, native Spanish speakers) completed the Spanish-DSI scale and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on a randomly selected half of the sample, and results yielded a two subscale-solution that closely conformed with the original DSI's Emotional Reactivity and Emotional Cutoff scales. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis cross-validated the measure's factor structure in the remaining sample. Implications for cross-cultural research and culturally-informed study of Bowen theory in Spanish populations are further discussed.

Este trabajo presenta la versión española del Differentiation of Self Inventory (S-DSI), un instrumento de 26 ítems, con dos subescalas -Reactividad Emocional y Corte Emocional-, orientado a población adulta (mayores de 25 años) y al estudio de sus relaciones significativas, lo que incluye las relaciones con la familia de origen y las actuales. La traducción del DSI-R al español se realizó a través del método de traducción inversa, con dos equipos de traducción independientes para la traducción al español y la traducción inversa al inglés. Una muestra de 1047 mujeres y hombres adultos (residentes en España y con el español como lengua nativa) cumplimentaron la traducción española del DSI-R y un cuestionario sociodemográfico. Se llevó a cabo un análisis factorial exploratorio con la mitad de la muestra seleccionada al azar. Sus resultados conducen a un modelo de dos subescalas que corresponden en gran medida con las subescalas originales Emotional Reactivity y Emotional Cutoff del DSI-R. Los resultados del análisis factorial confirmatorio realizado con la otra mitad de la muestra corroboran esta estructura factorial. Se discuten finalmente las implicaciones para la investigación transcultural y para el estudio culturalmente fundamentado de la Teoría de Bowen en poblaciones de habla española.

Instrumentos para Avaliação da Capacidade Parental e Familiar em Situações de Risco / Instruments for the Assessment of Parental and Family Capacity in Risk Situations

O Modelo de Avaliação e de Intervenção Familiar Integrada (MAIFI) incorpora um processo de avaliação que visa informar a tomada de decisão em situações de risco psicossocial ou de perigo para a criança, bem como a elaboração de projetos de apoio à família. Os Instrumentos de Síntese da Avaliação Compreensiva no MAIFI (ISACM) foram construídos para apoiar a organização e síntese desse processo de avaliação. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as suas propriedades psicométricas no que diz respeito à validade de construto, validade concorrente e fidedignidade por avaliação da consistência interna das subescalas e acordo entre avaliadores. Os ISACM revelaram propriedades psicométricas bastante satisfatórias que permitem recomendar a sua utilização na organização e síntese de avaliações compreensivas.

The Integrated Family Assessment and Intervention Model (IFAIM) incorporates an assessment process which aims to inform decision making in situations of psychosocial risk or danger for the child, as well as the elaboration or family support projects. The Instruments of Synthesis of Comprehensive Assessments in IFAIM (ISCAI) were built to support the organization and synthesis of this assessment process. The purpose of this study is to evaluate its psychometric properties concerning construct validity, concurrent validity and reliability, considering internal consistency and inter-rater agreement. The ISCAI revealed quite satisfactory psychometric properties which allow recommending its use in the organization and synthesis of comprehensive assessments.