The Family Alliance Assessment Scales: Steps Toward Validity and Reliability of an Observational Assessment Tool for Early Family Interactions

Abstract

We present the first steps in the validation of an observational tool for father-mother-infant interactions: the FAAS (Family Alliance Assessment Scales). Family-level variables are acknowledged as unique contributors to the understanding of the socio-affective development of the child, yet producing reliable assessments of family-level interactions poses a methodological challenge. There is, therefore, a clear need for a validated and clinically relevant tool. This validation study has been carried out on three samples: one non-referred sample, of families taking part in a study on the transition to parenthood (normative sample; n = 30), one referred for medically assisted procreation (infertility sample; n = 30) and one referred for a psychiatric condition in one parent (clinical sample; n = 15). Results show that the FAAS scales have (1) good inter-rater reliability and (2) good validity, as assessed through known-group validity by comparing the three samples and through concurrent validity by checking family interactions against parents' self-reported marital satisfaction.

Video-feedback intervention to improve parental sensitivity and the quality of interactions in mother-father-infant triads

“…To perform the activity, the family is informed that they have between 10 and 15 minutes in total to perform the four stages and that they themselves regulate the distribution of time through a clock located in a visible place for both parents. The process of coding the interaction is based on "The Family Alliance Assessment Scales" [69]. The scores obtained in the total quality of the triadic interactions can vary between 0 and 30 points and consider seven dimensions: participation, organization, focalization, affect sharing, miscoordinations, co-parenting and support conflicts, and child regulation/assertiveness.…”

“…The scores obtained in the total quality of the triadic interactions can vary between 0 and 30 points and consider seven dimensions: participation, organization, focalization, affect sharing, miscoordinations, co-parenting and support conflicts, and child regulation/assertiveness. Studies conducted by the Lausanne team report average scores of 19 points in a normative sample and 10.3 in a clinical sample [69]. Studies developed in Chile report an average of 10.09 in a non-clinical population of medium and low socioeconomic status [70].…”

Family Communication and its Effects on Child Developmental Progression

“…This type of communication may be done nonverbally, as parents recognize external signs of distress, such as anger. Parents may also speak directly to their children with the expectation that they will express their needs and wants verbally (Favez, Scaiola, Tissot, Darwiche, & Frascarolo, 2011). Therefore, learning to effectively guide a child through the first and most important stages of development is critical for a parent if he or she wants the child to develop as successfully as possible (Ticusan, 2014).…”

“…This strategy may involve direct speaking with a child about their needs, or it may reside in a parent learning to recognize the needs of their child through his or her body language (Favez, Scaiola, Tissot, Darwiche, & Frascarolo, 2011). The continued surveillance and maintenance of the unique strategy is also important for a child's successful development through life stages.…”

“…It is clear that parental stability plays an important role in the way a child develops; therefore, marital satisfaction has been considered to be a main contributor to a child's successful progression through the developmental stages (Favez, Scaiola, Tissot, Darwiche, & Frascarolo, 2011). A child relies on the trust that his or her parents will meet basic needs and wants, so a strong communication system is necessary between both parents and a child.…”