Convergent and Discriminant Validity for Family Self-Report Measures

Cohesion and adaptability have been postulated as underlying dimensions of several models and measures of family systems. The convergent and discriminant validity of the Family Environment Scale, the Family Assessment Device, the Structural Family Interaction Scale, Revised, and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (III) was examined for the dimensions of cohesion and adaptability. The measures were administered to 183 high school seniors and college undergraduates. Correlational and factor analytic results showed that the convergent validity of self-report family measures was stronger than the discriminant validity. A comparative analysis of themes underlying cohesion and adaptability scales is presented and suggestions for future study are offered.