The Family Environment Scale: reliability and normative data for an adolescent sample

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Family Studies
• Quantitative Research Methods

Background:

• The Family Environment Scale (FES) is a widely utilized instrument in family research.
• Previous studies have noted conceptual and empirical appeal of the FES.
• Concerns regarding the reliability of the FES have been raised.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide normative data for the Family Environment Scale (FES) using a large adolescent sample.
• To assess the reliability, specifically internal consistency, of the FES subscales in adolescents.
• To address existing doubts about the FES's psychometric properties.

Main Methods:

• Collected data from a large, combined sample of adolescents.
• Administered the Family Environment Scale (FES).
• Analyzed normative data (means, standard deviations) and reliability estimates (internal consistency).

Main Results:

• Normative data (means and standard deviations) for the FES were consistent with the scale's manual.
• Internal consistency estimates for most FES subscales were found to be inadequate for research purposes.
• Reliability concerns for the FES in adolescent populations are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• While the FES demonstrates acceptable normative values, its internal consistency raises significant reliability concerns for adolescent research.
• Researchers should exercise caution when interpreting FES subscale scores in adolescent samples due to potential reliability issues.
• Further investigation into the psychometric properties of the Family Environment Scale in diverse populations is warranted.