Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Family Centred Practice Scale for use with families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

BackgroundThe Family-Centered Practices Scale assesses the degree to which staff in Early Childhood Intervention and Development Centers use this approach. However, there is no adaptation of this scale to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in early intervention in Spain. Objectives: To validate and analyze the psychometric properties of the Family-Centered Practices scale in Spanish parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Methods: Descriptive analyses, exploratory factor analysis (n1 = 211), confirmatory factor analysis (n2 = 236), and scale reliability analyses were performed. In addition, the invariance of the scale by parents’ age and gender was assessed, and a longitudinal analysis of the scores was performed. Results: A scale with a two-factor structure was obtained, similar to the original version, where the goodness-of-fit indices were excellent (RMSEA [95%CI] = 02[0.01; 0.03]; CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.98; RMR = 0.02; GFI = 0.96). However, the measure was not invariant in gender, with differences between fathers and mothers. Additionally, the internal consistency of the full scale (α = 0.94, ω = 0.90) and of the two dimensions showed high values in this sample and comparing the means between the two measurement time points showed no differences, the test was powerful had a large effect size. Discussion: The psychometric properties of this scale are adequate, which makes it faster to apply and gives it better clinical applicability. Conclusions: This version of scale in Spanish is a valid, reliable tool for evaluating family-centered practices in families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.