Abstract

CARNEIRO, Francis; COSTA, Pedro  and  LEAL, Isabel. Psychometric analysis of the portuguese version of the family sense of coherence. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2019, vol.20, n.3, pp.838-858. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/19psd200322.

Family Sense of Coherence (Antonovsky & Sourami, 1988) is integrated in a Salutogenic model that highlights the family’s strengths and abilities to achieve successful adjustment. FSOC is significantly associated with positive health outcomes, nevertheless, is underresearched. The present study aims to (1) translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of a European Portuguese version of the Family Sense of Coherence (FSOC), and (2) Evaluate the impact of the familiar functioning on children’s psychological adjustment in a Portuguese sample with caregivers of children and adolescences between 10 and 15 years old. A sample of 271 caregivers provided sociodemographic information and completed a Portuguese version of FSOC and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed to evaluate FSOC structure, as well as the internal consistency, composite reliability, convergent-related and discriminant-related validity of the scale scores. Multiple Linear regressions were performed to explore the impact of FSOC on SDQ subscales. Factorial Analysis supported a three-factor solution for a 21-item version of the Portuguese version of FSOC, however without the original item’s organization. New dimensions have been developed: Family Cohesion, Family Resources and Family Communication. FSOC revealed a goodness of fit significantly higher than the original structure model and very good psychometric properties. FSOC revealed significant impact on Prosocial Behaviors and the highest predictor was Family Communication. Results are helpful to researchers that pretend to explore the role of family functioning on psychosocial adjustment. Moreover, FSOC could be very relevant for family researchers and family therapists, since it helps enhancing family well-being.

Keywords : Family sense of coherence; exploratory factor analysis; confirmatory factor analysis; psychological adjustment.

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