[Validation in the French language of an evaluation scale for family functioning (FACES III): a tool for research and...

Valid and reliable scales are necessary to describe the numerous factors associated with health status. Multiple studies have shown the impact of familial factors, i.e. family functioning (FF) on health indicators. As no scale exists in french to assess FF, we performed a study to validate the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III, Olson et al.) in french. This scale has a high level of validity and reliability and has been widely used. After 2 translations and back-translations and a pilot study to establish face validity, the final version was studied in 976 healthy subjects (457 families) who attended a preventive medical center in Nancy, France. Parents and adolescents each filled out two 20 item self-administered questionnaires. There were few missing values (0-3% per item). Construct validity was assessed by principal component factor analysis, which found the same two individualized axes as in the original scale. The reliability of the french version was excellent and comparable to Olson's scale. This study demonstrates the validity and reliability of a french version of FACES III in a french population. It provides researchers and clinicians in France with a validated instrument for assessing, in a quantified way, factors associated with family functioning that influence health status in adults, adolescents and children, particularly those with chronic diseases. This scale is especially useful for developing and evaluating health programs.