title: Translation and validation of a chinese version of the family sense of coherence scale in Chinese childbearing families.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family sense of coherence is central to successful coping with family stressors and facilitates positive adaptation. Little is known about the implications of family sense of coherence for family adaptation during the transition to parenthood in Chinese society.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to translate the Family Sense of Coherence Scale-Short Form (FSOC-S) into Chinese FSOC-S (C-FSOC-S) and to evaluate the psychometric properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Phase 1, the FSOC-S was translated into Chinese using the translation/back-translation technique and was reviewed by an expert panel for cultural equivalence. In Phase 2, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 128 Chinese childbearing couples recruited from the antenatal clinics. Participants completed the C-FSOC-S, Sense of Coherence Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Family and Marital Functioning Measures, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The C-FSOC-S showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .83) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .75). Significant correlations with Sense of Coherence Scale (r = .55, p < .01), Medical Outcomes Study Family and Marital Functioning Measures (r = .71, p < .01), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (r = -.50, p < .01) indicated good construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure of the C-FSOC-S.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The C-FSOC-S has satisfactory psychometric properties and has the potential to be used as a clinical and research instrument for measuring family sense of coherence in Chinese childbearing families.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. fwngai@hku.hk
authors.forename: Fei-Wan
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.forename: Siew-Fei
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ngu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult