Modified family assessment form (MFAF) and Pennsylvania families: Establishing construct validity and reliability

Abstract

This study explored the basic psychometric properties of the Modified Family Assessment Form (17 items), using archived data (n = 614, ages 3–21 years) of youth at risk for out-of-home placement receiving ecosystemic structural family therapy via Family Based Mental Health Services in Pennsylvania. Findings of the exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure (caregiver-child relationship, α ≥ 0.90; co-caregiver relationship, α ≥ 0.94; executive functioning, α ≥ 0.87), established good internal consistency (α ≥ 0.80), and construct validity and reliability. A paired sample t-test indicated differences across three-factor structure from the first 30 days to the last 30 days of treatment (p < 0.05, two tailed). It was concluded that the Modified Family Assessment Form shows promise as an evidence-based assessment tool for severely emotionally disturbed youth receiving ecosystemic structural family therapy via Family Based Mental Health Services.