title: Development of a family assessment instrument for transcultural use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The article describes challenges related to the transfer of a family assessment instrument, the Assessment of Strategies in Families-Effectiveness (ASF-E), and its theoretical basis to another culture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Instrument development encompassed translation and discussion of theoretical and cultural relevance of the items. Patients from two clinics in Tampere, Finland (N = 196) completed the ASF. Psychometric tests involved factor and reliability analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The theoretical constructs of stability, growth, control and connectedness/spirituality were represented in the factor structure, and reliability ranged from .65 to .83.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were cultural differences in the interpretation of certain items. Characteristics of Finnish culture with impact on instrument validity were homogeneity and family emphasis on conflict resolution. Insights contributed to further instrument development and broader understanding of culture.
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, USA.
authors.forename: Marie-Luise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Friedemann
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Astedt-Kurki
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paavilainen
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D005190:Family; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016746:Transcultural Nursing / Q000379:methods*