THE FAMILY SATISFACTION SCALE

Abstract

The development of the Family Satisfaction Scale is described. Respondents (total N = 843) completed the Family Satisfaction Scale either (1) for the purposes of assessing item-operating characteristics, factor structure and reliability of Family Satisfaction Scale scores; or (2) their predictability of both alternative measures of family attitudes and feelings, and current interpersonal functioning. Results indicated a single factor underlying responses to Family Satisfaction Scale items and a revised 20-item version of the scale yielded acceptable estimates of internal and temporal stability. Subsequent analyses indicated that Family Satisfaction Scale scores were related to various measures of family attitudes (e.g., cohesion, task acceptance, etc.) as well as current interpersonal functioning and attitudes (e.g., loneliness, social support, and marital satisfaction). These results are interpreted as supporting the validity of Family Satisfaction Scale.