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Observational couple assessment: a cross‐model comparison
Author(s) -
Thomas Volker,
Lewis Robert A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1111/1467-6427.00105
Subject(s) - inter rater reliability , observational study , psychology , rating scale , construct validity , clinical psychology , reliability (semiconductor) , construct (python library) , convergent validity , test validity , psychometrics , developmental psychology , medicine , internal consistency , power (physics) , physics , pathology , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
This study compared the clinical rating scales from the Circumplex Model (CCRS), the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MCRS) and the Family Health Scales (FHS). A central purpose was to investigate whether observational rating scales designed to measure family functioning can also be used to assess couple functioning. One hundred and sixty‐six drug abusing women, receiving primary drug treatment in two metropolitan drug agencies in the southwest of the US, and their partners were videotaped while engaged in three couple tasks prior to receiving any treatment. The main findings indicated that all three rating scales have: (1) sufficient interrater reliability; (2) good construct validity, as reflected in factor analyses; and (3) very good convergent validity. However, there was some concern about whether these scales are as discriminating when measuring couples as they are when assessing families.