Description:
The Family Needs Scale (FNS) is a 41-item scale
that measures a family’s needs in nine areas (financial,
food and shelter, vocation, child care, transportation, communication,
etc.). The parent (or family member) rates each item of need
on a 5-point scale that ranges from (1) almost never a need
to (5) almost always a need.
Uses of Information: The scale facilitates the identification
of family needs and strengths. The results can be used to
guide follow-up discussions to help clarify concerns and help
define the precise nature of the family’s needs. The
information can then be used to decide whether intervention
is required and, if so, the type of intervention needed. The
book provides a number of case studies to illustrate how the
information can be used.
Reliability: The research sample consisted of 54 parents
of pre- and elementary school aged children who were mentally
challenged, handicapped, and developmentally at risk. (1)
Internal reliability: coefficient alpha = .95; (2) Split-half
reliability (using the Spearman-Brown formula) = .96.
Validity: The authors tested
for concurrent validity against a parent belief scale (Snyder
et al. 1986). The FNS total scale score was found to be significantly
related to the well-being (correlation = .42), decision-making
(correlation =. 40), and internal locus of control (correlation
= .28) dimensions on the parent belief scale.
Method of Scoring: The parent (or family member) reports
the constancy of a need by marking Not Applicable, Almost
Never, Seldom, Sometimes, Often, and Almost Always for each
item of need.
Interpretability: Items rated Sometimes, Often, or Almost
Always (a need) may indicate needs that are generally unmet,
and thus provide a basis for further discussion to better
understand the exact nature of the need. The book provides
a Family Support Plan form and a Profile of Family Needs and
Support form for the agency to use. The needs and support
form can be used to record providers and the resources they
are expected to provide to help the family address an identified
need. The family support form enables the agency to mobilize
resources to address needs and to monitor the progress of
the intervention.
Training Support: None described. However, a second book
published by Brookline Books, entitled “Supporting and
Strengthening Families: Methods, Strategies, and Practices”(Dunst
et al. 1994) is a collection of papers updating the thinking
and practices described in “Enabling and Empowering
Families,” and building and elaborating upon the model
described in the earlier book.
Adaptations/Special Instructions for Individuals with Disabilities:
None described.
Report Preparation Support: None described. References:
Dunst, Carl, Carol Trivette, and Angela Deal. Enabling and
Empowering Families: Principles & Guidelines for Practice.
Cambridge: Brookline Books, 1988.
Dunst, Carl, Carol Trivette, and Angela Deal. Supporting
and Strengthening Families: Methods, Strategies, and Practices.
Newton: Brookline Books, 1994.
Snyder, K.D., J.C. Weeldreyer, C.J. Dunst, and C.S. Cooper.
Parent Self-Awareness Scale: Reliability and Validity. Unpublished
scale. Morganton, NC: Family, Infant and Preschool Program
at Western Carolina Center, 1986.
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