Original Article

Cross-cultural adaptation of the General Functioning Scale of the family into the Malay language

Authors: Muneer Gohar Babar, Sobia Bilal, Zamros Yuzadi Mohd Yusof, Karuthan Chinna, Jennifer Geraldine Doss, Allan Pau.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) has been used to measure family functioning in several cultures. The FAD’s 12-item General Functioning Subscale (GF12) provides a general assessment of family functioning. This study aims to assess the cross-cultural adaptation of the FADGF12 scale in the Malaysian population.

Methods: The translation and adaptation procedure of the Malay GF12 was based on the dual-panel methodology. This involved a bilingual panel (providing the initial translation into the Malay language) followed by a lay panel (where items are assessed for comprehension and acceptability). A mixed-methods approach with exploratory sequential study design was employed. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey of the Malay version of GF12 and a qualitative focus group analysis of dual-panel members.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-one parents who have children attending Tadikas (pre-school) responded to the Malay GF12. In the reliability analysis, the internal consistency value was good; in the test-retest analysis, the intra-class correlation values were more than 0.7. In the exploratory factor analysis, two factors were extracted. In the confirmatory factor analysis, a single factor 12-item model did not fit well. Alternatively, a 2-factor-6-item model showed sufficient fit. The two constructs are comprised of Positive and Negative Items.

Conclusion: The Malay version of GF12 has adequate psychometric properties to measure family functioning in the Malay speaking population.

Keywords: family functioning, Family Assessment Device, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, construct validity, Malay.

Citation: IeJSME 2021 15 (3): 46-56

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.15.3.46