Kirk, R. S. (2015). Psychometric properties of the trauma and post-trauma well-being assessment domains of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale for General and Reunification Services (NCFAS G+R). Journal of Public Child Welfare, 9(5), 444–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2015.1090364
Participants: 170 in-home service families in three family preservation programs
Sample / Population:
- Race/Ethnicity — 66% White, 29% African-American, and 5% Other. Hispanic was asked separately: 2%
Summary:
Two new domains of the NCFAS-G+R, Trauma and Post-trauma Well-being, were tested for reliability and validity in relation to previous NCFAS-G+R domains. Domains were tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha, factor structure was explored, and convergent validity was examined through correlations of new scale items with domain ratings on the NCFAS-G+R. Assessment ratings were cross tabulated with practice and outcome variables. Reliability of the new domains was established with Cronbach’s alphas of .811 and .905, respectively, factor structure was confirmed, new scale items and domains correlated predictably and significantly with other NCFAS domains. Outcome variables were influenced by trauma assessment ratings. Displaying good psychometric properties, the trauma-focused assessment domains hold promise for assisting child welfare practitioners assess trauma symptomology, and post-trauma well-being following services.