Modified family rating scales for assessing couple functioning: A reliability and validity study
Abstract
This study focuses on evaluating selected types of reliability and validity of two modified observational family rating scales, the Circumplex Clinical Rating Scale (CRS) and the Family Health Scale (FHS) using a sample of substance abusing women and their partners. The rating scales were modified to assess couple functioning by dropping several items related to parent-child and/or sibling interaction. To test convergent validity, one of several procedures for investigating construct validity, an analysis of variance was conducted between observer ratings and scores on a self-report psychiatric symptom distress instrument (SCL-90R). The clinical rating scales showed good reliability (interrater and internal consistency) and congruent validity but poor convergent validity as interpreted by their inability to reflect the level of psychiatric symptom distress of the participants. Specifically, high psychiatric symptoms distress was not associated with dysfunctional relationships and low psychiatric symptom distress was not associated with functional relationships. Several interpretations of the findings, as well as a summary of implications for future research, are presented.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Thomas, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Academic guidance counseling|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology|Social research|Social psychology
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