The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) has been widely used to assess family functioning and to implement family therapeutic interventions. Cross-cultural adaptation is needed given the high sensitivity of family norms with culture. This study investigates the psychometric properties of the FACES IV in the context of Saudi culture. The sample consisted of 369 participants (270 females and 99 males) aged between 13 and 70. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the FACES IV model, after some adjustments. The findings indicated that FACES IV was a reliable and valid measure that can be used in the context of Saudi Arabia. The study showed some particularities with the rigid and enmeshed dimensions and concurred with previous validation studies in suggesting that these dimensions must be investigated further with respect to different cultures.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation in the relationship between family functioning, specifically family cohesion and family adaptability, and internet addiction among Saudi adolescents. A sample of 946 Saudi Arabian adolescents with a mean age of 18.5 years (SD = 3.06) was obtained using snowball sampling. Path analysis using structural equation modeling was conducted. The results indicated significant negative relationships between family cohesion and internet addiction and between deviant peer affiliation and family cohesion, and a significant positive relationship between family adaptability and internet addiction. In accordance with prior research, we found a significant positive relationship between deviant peer affiliation and internet addiction, but in terms of mediation, deviant peer affiliation mediated only the relationship between family cohesion and internet addiction. In conclusion, it is important for the effectiveness of interventions and preventive programs that aim to address deviant peer affiliation and internet addiction in adolescents to enhance the well-being of their family systems.

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The use of gamification has gained important attention when it comes to developing desired behaviors in children. However, few studies have used this approach to increase respectful behaviors toward parents in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to propose a gamified application by investigating the game element preferences of children and the children’s practices toward parents, and to use the interactive gamification app to enhance respectful behaviors toward parents in children aged 5 to 7 in Saudi Arabia. An interactive gamification app was conceived in order to encourage respectful behaviors in children. Parents observed their children and assessed them with a survey containing questions about respectful behaviors and application elements preferred by children. The questions had an internal consistency reliability above 0.85. There was a difference in gamification elements based on demographics, but no difference in respectful behaviors toward parents. Three gamification elements emerged as important contributors of respectful behaviors toward parents in children: points, rewards, and interaction with others. However, the time the child spent using a smart device was negatively related to respectful behaviors toward parents. A gamified application with two interfaces can be used to enhance respectful behaviors toward parents. Programs that focus on enhancing desired behavior in children aged 5 to 7 should use gamification approaches and direct particular attention to the three aforementioned elements. Moreover, parents should control the time their children spend using smart devices.

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