Are FACES‐II ‘family satisfaction’ scores valid?

It has been suggested that family satisfaction can be measured by having a person complete the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES‐II) twice: once as the person essentially sees the family (actual version), and once as they wish the family to be (ideal version). The discrepancy between the actual and ideal scores is contended to be a measure of satisfaction with family. Though conceptually attractive, this measurement strategy was not verified, as assessed in the present study by correlating the actual‐ideal discrepancy scores with family discord (Index of Family Relations) scores. Clinical adoption of the actual‐ideal discrepancy‐score as a measure of family satisfaction is thus seen as premature, until more supportive evidence is demonstrated.