Validation of Two Family Assessment Approaches

Twenty-two families completed the Family Environment Scale and an interactional task later coded for specific behaviors. Their scores were intercorrelated to compare the two assessment methods and provide validity information for four FES subscales. The Expressiveness and Conflict subscales correlated significantly with comparable behavioral variables, while the Cohesion and Control subscales did not. Correlations among the other FES subscales and the behavioral data are discussed with implications for the clinical utility of the FES. Subgroups consisting of intact nuclear, single-parent, and blended families also were contrasted and conclusions formulated regarding differences between these family types.