A Factor Analysis of Family Interaction Measures

Abstract

Summary Twenty-two family triads with normal children and 33 with abnormal children were asked to make up conjoint TAT stories and were also tested by the technique of “unrevealed differences.” A number of family measures based on these procedures, together with certain demographic variables, were subjected to a factor analysis and seven factors were abstracted. These factors were tentatively described as: middle class good adjustment, fast performance, sullen silence, lack of task orientation, inefficient communication, hostile interaction, and dependency. It is hoped that these factors may form the basis for a tentative system for classifying families which is less determined by considerations of psychiatric diagnosis.