BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the Family Stress and Coping Interview (FSCI), a questionnaire designed to quantitatively and qualitatively examine the experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities (DDs). METHODS: The participants consisted of 106 primary caregivers of 106 individuals with DDs from centres in Eastern, Central and North-western Ontario, Canada. The participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the FSCI, and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that the FSCI has adequate reliability (i.e. internal consistency and long-term stability) and validity (i.e. independent item ratings and discriminant validity). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of the FSCI as a measure of family stress in research and practice.
BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the Family Stress and Coping Interview (FSCI), a questionnaire designed to quantitatively and qualitatively examine the experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities (DDs). METHODS: The participants consisted of 106 primary caregivers of 106 individuals with DDs from centres in Eastern, Central and North-western Ontario, Canada. The participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the FSCI, and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that the FSCI has adequate reliability (i.e. internal consistency and long-term stability) and validity (i.e. independent item ratings and discriminant validity). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of the FSCI as a measure of family stress in research and practice.