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Family Relationship Characteristics
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About Family Relationship Characteristics
Scale Name
Family Relationship Characteristics
Author Details
Patrick H. Tolan, Deborah Gorman-Smith, L. Rowell Huesmann, and Arnaldo Zelli (1997)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Family Relationship Characteristics scale, developed by Patrick H. Tolan, Deborah Gorman-Smith, L. Rowell Huesmann, and Arnaldo Zelli in 1997, is a multi-informant questionnaire designed to measure four aspects of family relationship characteristics associated with risk for serious antisocial behavior: cohesion (family closeness), beliefs about family (shared values), structure (roles and rules), and deviant beliefs (acceptance of antisocial norms). Targeting children and adolescents aged 6-17 (grades 1-12) and their caregivers, the scale was developed within the Chicago Youth Development Study to assess family processes linked to delinquency. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with family systems theory and social learning theory (Bandura, 1977), examining how family dynamics influence youth behavior.
The scale comprises 24 items (6 per subscale) rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 5 = “always”). Examples include “Our family spends time together” (cohesion) and “It’s okay to break rules in our family” (deviant beliefs). Scores are summed per subscale (range: 6-30 each), with higher scores indicating stronger presence of each characteristic (except deviant beliefs, where higher scores indicate greater risk). Validated in urban samples, it is used to assess family functioning, predict antisocial behavior, and inform family-based interventions.
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals use the scale to evaluate family dynamics, design prevention programs, and study developmental outcomes. Its comprehensive four-factor structure and strong psychometrics are strengths, though its English-only availability may limit cross-cultural use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths or Chicago Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses family relationships to support positive youth development, emphasizing anonymity and using age-appropriate, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking youth and caregivers to rate the frequency of family behaviors over the past month, using the 5-point scale. Administer both versions separately to capture perspectives.
- Approximate time for completion is 8-10 minutes per respondent, given the 24-item format.
- Administer in a school, home, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration is recommended for younger respondents (ages 6-10) or those with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Family Relationship Characteristics scale demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is robust, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.72 to 0.91 across subscales, indicating good to excellent item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar family measures (r ≈ 0.65-0.85 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as reduced delinquency (r ≈ -0.25 to -0.45 for cohesion/structure) and increased antisocial behavior (r ≈ 0.30-0.50 for deviant beliefs). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic performance (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict serious antisocial outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses confirm a four-factor structure (cohesion, beliefs, structure, deviant beliefs), supporting construct validity. The strong reliability makes it robust, though multi-informant data (e.g., teacher ratings) can enhance accuracy.
Available Versions
39-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Family Relationship Characteristics scale measure?
It measures family cohesion, beliefs, structure, and deviant beliefs related to antisocial risk.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, family researchers, and public health professionals studying youths aged 6-17.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 8-10 minutes per respondent.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban youths aged 6-17 and their caregivers.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports family interventions with strong reliability (α = 0.72-0.91).
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