Reviewed and assessed 8 self-report measures of total family functioning according to a standardized approach to instrument design. The instruments evaluated include the Family Assessment Device (N. B. Epstein et al, 1981), the Family Assessment Measure (H. A. Skinner et al, 1983), the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, the Family Environment Scale, the Family Functioning Index
... [Show full abstract] (I. B. Pless and B. Satterwhite, 1973), the Self-Report Family Inventory (R. B. Hampson et al, 1989), the Family APGAR (G. Smilkstein et al, 1982) and the Family Functioning Questionnaire (S. Linder-Pelz et al; see record
1985-16339-001). The analysis indicates 2 major problems with these instruments: (1) disagreement on key concepts and definitions (2) inconsistency in design and attention to detail in empirical analysis and psychometric evaluation. Family assessment techniques need further development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)