Skip to main content

A Psychometric Study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Resource type
Date created
2019-03-12
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
Background: The family system represents a critical context within which children develop. Although raising a child with a disability may represent a challenge to this dynamic system, research demonstrates that families have the capacity to demonstrate both maladaptation and resilience in the face of related stressors. In the current study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS) among families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This tool is the only measure of family resilience that seeks to identify within-family protective factors, including the extent to which they rely on adaptive belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication processes. Identifying protective processes utilized by those who show resilience is critical within both clinical practice and research, as it aligns with a strength-based perspective that builds on what families are doing well.Methods: Participants included 174 caregivers of individuals with ASD (84% mothers). Caregivers completed the FRAS, as well as the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. The 54-item FRAS was submitted to an exploratory factor analysis, using the iterated principal factor method with a promax rotation.Results: Fifty-one items across 3 factors (Family Communication and Problem Solving, Utilizing Social and Economic Resources, Family Spirituality) were retained, explaining 52% of the total variance. The final scale demonstrated convergent validity with the Family Quality of Life assessment tool.Conclusions: It is our hope that identifying the optimal scale structure will encourage other researchers to utilize this measure with families of children with ASD, thus continuing to advance the study of family resilience within this unique context.
Document
Published as
Gardiner, Emily & C. Mâsse, Louise & Iarocci, Grace. (2019). A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 17. DOI: 10.1186/s12955-019-1117-x
Publication title
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Document title
A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder
Date
2019
Volume
17
Publisher DOI
10.1186/s12955-019-1117-x
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Language
English
Member of collection
Download file Size
s12955-019-1117-x.pdf 613.83 KB

Views & downloads - as of June 2023

Views: 12
Downloads: 0