Psychometric Properties of the FACES-IV in a Pediatric Oncology Population

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 528 - 538
• Main Authors: Marsac, Meghan L., Alderfer, Melissa A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.06.2011
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Family - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms - psychology; Parents - psychology; Psychometrics; Resilience, Psychological; Self Efficacy; Social Adjustment; Surveys and Questionnaires; family functioning; psychometrics; assessment; childhood cancer; FACES-IV
• ISSN: 0146-8693; 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsq003

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, version IV (FACES-IV) in families of children with cancer. Methods As part of a larger program of research, 147 mothers and 40 fathers from 162 families of children with cancer completed the FACES-IV. Parents and one healthy child from each family (77 girls; age M = 12.8, SD = 2.8) completed additional measures of family functioning and parenting. Results Internal consistencies above .70 were found for all subscales except one (Enmeshed, α = .65). Intercorrelations of the subscales were similar to the validation sample but seemed inconsistent with the Circumplex Model on which the measure is based. Analyses raised questions regarding construct validity for the Enmeshed and Rigid subscales. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that more research is needed prior to widespread use of the FACES-IV in pediatric oncology populations.