Family Relational Boundaries Questionnaire (FRBQ): Developing and Standardization

Abstract

Objective: The present study attempted to develop and validate the Family Relationships Questionnaire (FRQ) Based on Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy (SFT). Methods: The study sample was comprised of 200 high school students; they were selected by cluster sampling method from Mazandaran, Sari City, Iran. The research instrument included a researcher-developed questionnaire, based on Minuchin’s SFT. Results: The exploratory factor analysis data have led to extracting 3 factors; normal boundary, enmeshment boundary, and disengaged boundary. Additionally, the obtained results suggested that the 3 elicited factors explained 62.28 variances of family relationships boundaries. Confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that elicited factors can also measure family relationships boundaries. Reliability analysis, distinctive, and convergent validity of the components of family relationship boundaries indicated that questions in assessing the components of family relationships boundaries are clear and defined. Reliability testing with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reported a score of above 0.60 and the structural reliability was measured to be above 0.70. In other words, all 3 components can define the FRQ constructs as well. For validation, we first calculated the scores of family relationships boundaries and categorized those in a frequency table. The results scores of T and Z values revealed that the scores above the mean value indicated that more participants were aware of their family relationship boundaries. Conclusion: The present research results suggested that this questionnaire has proper validity and reliability; thus, it is proper for assessing family relationship boundaries. Therefore, the collected results can help to assess family relationship boundaries and to develop proper strategies for treatment and future researches.