The Development and Testing of an Assessment Scale for Insufficiencies in Family Resilience

<b>Background and purpose:</b> When a family becomes aware of family symptoms, family resilience is defined as its power to autonomously and actively improve its own family functions. A quantitative assessment of family resilience is essential in the practice of family nursing. The purpose of this study was to develop a self-assessment scale for family resilience based on the theoretical foundation of the Concentric Sphere Family Environment Theory (CSFET), and to examine the scale's reliability and validity. <b>Methods:</b> Based on 23 categories obtained from previous studies clarifying family conditions demonstrating family resilience, the Assessment Scale for Insufficiencies in Family Resilience (IFR), consisting of 21 items, was developed through content validity examinations by an expert committee and through face validity examinations for family members. The reliability and validity of the IFR were examined for families with children or with family members requiring care. <b>Results:</b> Temporal stability over a 2-week interval, which was assessed in 26 subjects, was supported by a high and significant correlation coefficient. The following statistical analysis was performed based on the responses of 206 subjects. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed high internal consistency reliability. The total IFR score showed a moderately significant correlation with the family function score and the family support demands score, demonstrating acceptable criterion-related validity. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the fit of a five-factor model based on the five systems of CSFET, and construct validity was supported. <b>Conclusions:</b> The reliability and validity of the IFR, which is composed of five factors and 21 items based on the CSFET, were confirmed, making the IFR a viable self-assessment scale for determining the level of family resilience.