Evaluating FACES III and the Circumplex Model: 2,440 families

Area of Science:

• Family Studies
• Psychological Assessment
• Family Systems Theory

Background:

• Previous research on the Circumplex Model's curvilinear hypothesis using FACES instruments yielded conflicting results.
• Inadequate sample sizes and heterogeneity in prior studies limited the adequate testing of the curvilinear hypothesis.
• The current study addresses these limitations by employing a large and diverse sample.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the curvilinear hypothesis of family functioning within the Circumplex Model.
• To assess the concurrent validity of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III (FACES III).
• To examine the relationship between family functioning dimensions and well-being measures in a large sample.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a large and diverse sample of 2,440 families.
• Employed the FACES III instrument to measure family adaptability and cohesion.
• Correlated FACES III subscale scores with measures of family well-being.

Main Results:

• No support for the curvilinear hypothesis was found in this large, diverse sample.
• The adaptability subscale of FACES III showed no relationship with well-being measures.
• A linear relationship was observed between the cohesion subscale of FACES III and well-being measures.

Conclusions:

• The findings challenge the curvilinear predictions of the Circumplex Model regarding family adaptability.
• Family cohesion demonstrates a linear association with well-being, suggesting a different functional relationship.
• Implications for the continued use of FACES III and the broader application of the Circumplex Model are discussed.