Citation

Tolan PH, Hanish LD, McKay MM, Dickey MH. J. Fam. Psychol. 2002; 16(2): 220-236.

Affiliation

Institute for Juvenile Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 South Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. tolan@uic.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12085734

Abstract

This article reports on 2 studies designed to develop and validate a set of measures for use in evaluating processes of child and family interventions. In Study 1 responses from 187 families attending an outpatient clinic for child behavior problems were factor analyzed to identify scales, consistent across sources: Alliance (Satisfactory Relationship with Interventionist and Program Satisfaction), Parenting Skill Attainment, Child Cooperation During Session, Child Prosocial Behavior, and Child Aggressive Behavior. Study 2 focused on patterns of scale scores among 78 families taking part in a 22-week preventive intervention designed to affect family relationships, parenting, and child antisocial and prosocial behaviors. The factor structure identified in Study 1 was replicated. Scale construct validity was demonstrated through across-source convergence, sensitivity to intervention change, and ability to discriminate individual differences. Path analysis validated the scales' utility in explaining key aspects of the intervention process. Implications for evaluating processes in family interventions are discussed.

Language: en