A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder
Abstract Background The family system represents a critical context within which children develop. Although raising a child with a disability may represent a challenge to this dynamic system, research demonstrates that families have the capacity to demonstrate both maladaptation and resilience in th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Health and Quality of Life Outcomes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12955-019-1117-x |
| _version_ | 1819142214431801344 |
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| author | Emily Gardiner Louise C. Mâsse Grace Iarocci |
| author_facet | Emily Gardiner Louise C. Mâsse Grace Iarocci |
| author_sort | Emily Gardiner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The family system represents a critical context within which children develop. Although raising a child with a disability may represent a challenge to this dynamic system, research demonstrates that families have the capacity to demonstrate both maladaptation and resilience in the face of related stressors. In the current study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS) among families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This tool is the only measure of family resilience that seeks to identify within-family protective factors, including the extent to which they rely on adaptive belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication processes. Identifying protective processes utilized by those who show resilience is critical within both clinical practice and research, as it aligns with a strength-based perspective that builds on what families are doing well. Methods Participants included 174 caregivers of individuals with ASD (84% mothers). Caregivers completed the FRAS, as well as the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. The 54-item FRAS was submitted to an exploratory factor analysis, using the iterated principal factor method with a promax rotation. Results Fifty-one items across 3 factors (Family Communication and Problem Solving, Utilizing Social and Economic Resources, Family Spirituality) were retained, explaining 52% of the total variance. The final scale demonstrated convergent validity with the Family Quality of Life assessment tool. Conclusions It is our hope that identifying the optimal scale structure will encourage other researchers to utilize this measure with families of children with ASD, thus continuing to advance the study of family resilience within this unique context. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T12:06:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be2f5d72ff2b4e77ae2ae6f49766aaeb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7525 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T12:06:47Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health and Quality of Life Outcomes |
| spelling | doaj.art-be2f5d72ff2b4e77ae2ae6f49766aaeb2022-12-21T18:26:25ZengBMCHealth and Quality of Life Outcomes1477-75252019-03-0117111010.1186/s12955-019-1117-xA psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorderEmily Gardiner0Louise C. Mâsse1Grace Iarocci2BC Children’s Hospital Research InstituteDepartment of Pediatrics, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Psychology, Simon Fraser UniversityAbstract Background The family system represents a critical context within which children develop. Although raising a child with a disability may represent a challenge to this dynamic system, research demonstrates that families have the capacity to demonstrate both maladaptation and resilience in the face of related stressors. In the current study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS) among families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This tool is the only measure of family resilience that seeks to identify within-family protective factors, including the extent to which they rely on adaptive belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication processes. Identifying protective processes utilized by those who show resilience is critical within both clinical practice and research, as it aligns with a strength-based perspective that builds on what families are doing well. Methods Participants included 174 caregivers of individuals with ASD (84% mothers). Caregivers completed the FRAS, as well as the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. The 54-item FRAS was submitted to an exploratory factor analysis, using the iterated principal factor method with a promax rotation. Results Fifty-one items across 3 factors (Family Communication and Problem Solving, Utilizing Social and Economic Resources, Family Spirituality) were retained, explaining 52% of the total variance. The final scale demonstrated convergent validity with the Family Quality of Life assessment tool. Conclusions It is our hope that identifying the optimal scale structure will encourage other researchers to utilize this measure with families of children with ASD, thus continuing to advance the study of family resilience within this unique context.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12955-019-1117-xAutism spectrum disorderFamily resilienceAssessmentFactor analysisFamily quality of life |
| spellingShingle | Emily Gardiner Louise C. Mâsse Grace Iarocci A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Autism spectrum disorder Family resilience Assessment Factor analysis Family quality of life |
| title | A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_full | A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_fullStr | A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_short | A psychometric study of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder |
| title_sort | psychometric study of the family resilience assessment scale among families of children with autism spectrum disorder |
| topic | Autism spectrum disorder Family resilience Assessment Factor analysis Family quality of life |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12955-019-1117-x |
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