Adolescents' Perceptions of Family Cohesion and Power

A Methodological Study of the Family System Test

Bibliographic Data

ID12093236
AuthorsThomas Gehring (0000-0001-6284-2156, corresponding author), Thomas M Gehring, Shirley Feldman (0009-0009-6981-8648, Stanford University), S Shirley Feldman (Stanford University)
Year1988
Volume3
Issue1
Pages33-52
Publication date1988-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescent Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0743-5584 • E-ISSN: 1552-6895
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/074355488831004
OpenAlexW2063791865
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited59

This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Family System Test (FAST), a figure placement technique designed to represent cohesion and power in the family. The FAST assesses cohesion by distances between figures on a board, and power by height of blocks on which figures are elevated. Cohesion and power scores are derived for the family as a unit, and its various subsystems, including the marital, cross-generational and sibling dyads. The predominantly White, middle-class sample consisted of 137 early adolescents and 130 midadolescents who portrayed their family under three conditions in typical, ideal, and conflict situations. To establish stability all early adolescents and 28 of the midadolescents were seen twice, one week apart. An additional 20 midadolescents were seen four months later. To establish convergent and discriminant validity subjects completed the FACES III and the cohesion and control subscales of the FES. To establish construct validity the data from the FAST were examined as to their consistency with both developmental and family system perspectives. The FAST demonstrated test-retest stability, near-independence of cohesion and power dimensions, as well as convergent and construct validity. In general, psychometric properties of the FAST were better for midadolescents than for early adolescents. Advantages of the FAST as a research and clinical tool are discussed

Cohesion (chemistry · Construct validity · Convergent validity · Developmental psychology · Discriminant validity · Internal consistency · Psychometrics · Sibling · Test validity · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Psychological Testing and Assessment · Psychology · Social Psychology

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