Development of a Malaysian Family Functioning Scale (MFFS)

Abstract

The study reported here explains the development of a Malaysian Family Functioning Scale (MFFS) that can be used by researchers and practitioners in the field of marriage and family therapy. Results show that the MFFS validly measures the functioning of Malaysian families. Items used in the instrument were developed based on data gathered from Focus Group interviews with family experts and consolidated with findings from previous studies. A total of 121 items for the MFFS were produced and tested using a pilot test. Following the pilot test, an initial scale of 121 items was administered to 233 participants. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted on the items in the MFFS resulted in the extraction of four factors consisting of 30 items. Confirmatory factor analysis using data from 350 participants was subsequently conducted to verify the validity of the four factors discovered through EFA, which are Communication, Cohesion, Rules, and Roles. The study reported here shows that the MFFS is a reliable and valid measure that can be used by researchers and practitioners to understand the level of family functioning across different ethnic groups in Malaysia. There may be valid applications to other collectivist societies as well.