Measuring Parent/Professional Interaction in Early Intervention: Validity and Reliability

Abstract

This study examines the validity and reliability of a new tool, the Family Provider Interaction Analysis (FPIA), designed to evaluate the quality of family/provider relationship regarding its degree of family-centeredness. The FPIA analyzes family/professional interactions by classifying behaviors into one of 11 verbal behavior categories. The validity and reliability of this tool were explored by having 4 trained subjects use the FPIA to rate 3 videotaped family/provider interaction sessions, which were predetermined to represent varying degrees of family-centered service delivery. Face validity was partially supported because chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in the frequency of FPIA categories observed between the family-centered session as compared to the nonfamily-centered session. Examination of the reliability of the tool revealed coefficients ranging from Rho = .17 to Rho = 1.0 for intrarater reliability and from Rho = .01 to Rho = .77 for interrater reliability. The results demonstrate potential for the use of this tool as an objective measure of the degree to which family/provider interactions depict family-centered services. Pending further scrutiny, the FPIA has implications as programs strive for services to be of higher quality, more comprehensive, and more efficient to meet the needs of the families they support.