Psychometric Properties of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS) for Vulnerable Preschoolers from Ecuador

Abstract

AbstractPositive parenting and appropriate interaction with children are globally recognized as pivotal in enhancing children’s quality of life. Evaluating family intervention programs is therefore vital, particularly in regions that lack reliable tools for assessment. This manuscript details a study conducted in Ecuador, a country noted for its scarcity of validated instruments to assess the impact of such interventions, especially for vulnerable preschool children. We focused on the application of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS), a well-established measure to evaluate family functioning internationally, to Ecuadorian families with preschool children who are deemed vulnerable. The Spanish translation of the original scale was administered by trained evaluators to 470 preschool children in Machala, Ecuador. Our examination of the psychometric properties of the NCFAS in this context demonstrated high internal consistency. Additionally, factor analysis corroborated the reliability and validity of this adapted version of the NCFAS, albeit with a reduced item count. This research supports the effectiveness of the NCFAS in the Ecuadorian setting and underscores its potential utility in further studies involving varied demographic groups within the country. The results of this study have substantial implications for the enhancement of children’s quality of life in Ecuador through family intervention programs.