title: Reliability and validity of the Family Satisfaction Scale with survivors of traumatic brain injury.
abstract: For this study, we investigated the reliability and validity of the FSS (Family Satisfaction Scale) in survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The FSS was administered during the 12- and 60-month follow-up interviews. Data analyses included Cronbach's Alpha to determine internal consistency and analysis of variance to determine the relationship of FSS total score to Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A) total scores, marital status, living arrangement, and number of family contacts outside the home. Cronbach's Alphas were 0.94 (12 months, N = 541) and 0.95 (60 months, N = 340). FSS total score and marital status were significantly related at both 12 months (F(3, 534) = 6.04, p < 0.001) and 60 months postdischarge (F(3, 335) = 4.52, p < 0.005). FSS total scores are correlated with the number of family contacts (r(342) = 0.12, p < 0.03) and with LSI-A total scores (r(337) = 0.43, p < 0.001). The FSS has excellent internal consistency with survivors of TBI. We also demonstrated the evidence of convergent validity.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham's Injury Control Research Center, UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294-2041, USA. andrea.underhill@ccc.uab.edu
authors.forename: Andrea T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Underhill
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: LoBello
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Fine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors