The Family Assessment Measure III (FAM III; Skinner, Steinhauer & Santa-Barbara, 1995) is one of the most widely used family assessment tool at the international level. However, research supporting its use in the Italian context is lacking. In order to help to fill this gap, the main aim of this pilot study was to explore the use of FAM III in the Italian context. The questionnaire was administered to an Italian community sample of 1572 parents together with the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-SF; Abidin, 1995), as a measure of parental stress. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were carried out. The 7-factor model showed the best fit. Internal consistency of FAM III showed acceptable values. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for age cohorts, few differences for parental role, and no effect for child’s gender. The data collected for the Italian sample were compared with available data for the American sample showing few differences. Convergent validity was assessed investigating relationships between the FAM III and PSI-SF. Correlations revealed a good association between quality of family functioning and parenting stress as referred by parents. The FAM III appears to be a reliable tool for assessing Italian family functioning in different moments of the family cycle of life.
The Family Assessment Measure III (FAM III) in an Italian sample. An exploratory study.
LAGHEZZA, LOREDANA;DELVECCHIO, ELISA;PAZZAGLI, Chiara;MAZZESCHI, Claudia
2015
Abstract
The Family Assessment Measure III (FAM III; Skinner, Steinhauer & Santa-Barbara, 1995) is one of the most widely used family assessment tool at the international level. However, research supporting its use in the Italian context is lacking. In order to help to fill this gap, the main aim of this pilot study was to explore the use of FAM III in the Italian context. The questionnaire was administered to an Italian community sample of 1572 parents together with the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-SF; Abidin, 1995), as a measure of parental stress. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were carried out. The 7-factor model showed the best fit. Internal consistency of FAM III showed acceptable values. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for age cohorts, few differences for parental role, and no effect for child’s gender. The data collected for the Italian sample were compared with available data for the American sample showing few differences. Convergent validity was assessed investigating relationships between the FAM III and PSI-SF. Correlations revealed a good association between quality of family functioning and parenting stress as referred by parents. The FAM III appears to be a reliable tool for assessing Italian family functioning in different moments of the family cycle of life.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
