title: A review of diabetes mellitus-specific family assessment instruments.
abstract: Family dynamics and attributes are increasingly recognized as affecting management of diabetes mellitus (DM); however, little research has been done on the validity and usefulness of family assessment instruments (FAIs). This article reviewed the literature that employs DM-specific FAIs and evaluates whether the instruments comprehensively captured family attributes/processes and were robust enough to be useful in understanding the relationship between family attributes/issues and DM-related health care. Studies using eight instruments were identified through a search of literature published from 1982 to 2010 and were analyzed with criteria derived from the measurement and family literatures. The findings of this study revealed that DM-specific FAIs yield useful data about family-related phenomenon; however, some domains of DM-specific care, such as family dynamics/functioning, were not overtly measured. Suggestions for improving DM-specific FAIs are provided and a rationale for why DM-specific and non-DM-specific FAIs is needed to fully measure family issues related to family dynamics/attributes on DM patient care.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, 418 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217, USA. mksong80@gmail.com
authors.forename: MinKyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Deatrick
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Feetham
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires