Measurement Properties of Sabogal's Familism Scale: Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study.

Abstract

Familism is a central Hispanic/Latino cultural value that emphasizes close, supportive family relationships and prioritizing family over the self. One of its best-known measures is Sabogal's Familism Scale (Sabogal, Marin, Otero-Sabogal, VanOss Marin, & Perez-Stable, 1987). Although widely used, this scale's measurement properties are not well understood. This study addressed that gap by examining the factor structure, factorial invariance, convergent and discriminant validity, and internal consistency of Sabogal's Familism Scale using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study. A diverse population-based sample of Hispanics/Latinos (N = 5,313) completed measures that were administered via interview in English or Spanish. Confirmatory factor analyses (n = 5,310) revealed that a three-factor model (familial obligations, perceived support from the family, family as referents; Sabogal's original three factors) fit the data well and did not vary across English and Spanish language groups (i.e., factorial invariance). Convergent and discriminant validities were also established; familism correlated positively with other Hispanic/Latino cultural values (simpatía, fatalism) and correlated negatively with U.S. acculturation. Internal consistency was acceptable. Sabogal's Familism Scale is recommended for continued use in the study of familism in U.S. Hispanics/Latinos.