Spanish Adaptation of the FACES IV Questionnaire: Psychometric Characteristics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to obtain a culturally adapted Spanish version of the American Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV). For this purpose, rigorous procedures were used in the retro-translation process and in the subsequent empirical study. The sampling consisted of 455 university students and a balanced scale of 13 items (α = .87) was obtained; a scale that can be used independently. Moreover, the study was rounded off with a 6-factor model that includes 2 central scales—cohesion and adaptability—and 4 extreme scales—chaotic, rigid, disengaged, and enmeshed—each one with 4 items. All the scales proved to have good psychometric qualities and suitable convergent, concurrent, and content validity, yet it will be necessary to go more deeply into the rigid scale. The construct validity was supported by a confirmatory factorial analysis with sound fit indexes (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.046, normed fit index [NFI] = 0.94, the comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.97, and the goodness-of-fit index [GFI] = 0.92). In its Spanish version, FACES IV is a useful instrument for family assessment, although further studies need to be carried out so as to confirm the results obtained.

The Role of BIS Sensitivity in the Relationship Between Family Enmeshment and Child Anxiety

“…Previous reports on the internal consistency of the FACES enmeshment subscale are inconsistent. While some researchers have reported stronger internal consistencies than yielded in this study, ranging from .75 (Franklin et al 2001) to .77/.78 (Mirnics et al 2010;Olson 2011), to .89 J Child Fam Stud (Rivero et al 2010), other researchers have reported alpha coefficient estimates comparable to the one reported here, ranging from .65 (Marsac and Alderfer 2011) to .67 (Baiocco et al 2013).…”

“…In our study, only the enmeshed family functioning scale was analyzed, as per recommendations regarding how to use this tool in research settings, for which dimension scales are not appropriate (Olson 2010). The enmeshed subscale, which represents excessive bonding between family members, includes seven items (Olson 2011).…”

El Papel Funcionamiento y la Comunicación Familiar en los Síntomas Psicosomáticos

“…In a previous study (Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega & Olson, 2010), the model of family functioning, with 4 items in each subscale was proved with good adjustment indexes χ 2 (237 N = 455) = 463.337, RMSEA = .046; CFI = .97; GFI = .92. Parallel to this, the model with one latent variable of family functioning was proved: χ 2 (244): 486,35, p < 0.001; GFI: .91, CFI:.…”

“…-FACES IV (Olson, Gorall y Tiesel, 2006): The Spanish version has 24 items divided in two balanced scales (cohesion and adaptability) and four unbalanced scales which measure the extremes of cohesion (enmeshed and disengaged) and of adaptability (chaos and rigidity), with 4 items each. The scales prove to be valid and have a suitable level of reliability (alpha: entre .77 y .50) (Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega & Olson, 2010). -Family Satisfaction Scale (Olson, Stewart y Wilson, 1990).…”

“…Confirmatory factor analysis of the family functioning instrument, according to a previously-published model (Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega y Olson, 2010). This gave one latent variable: family functioning.…”