Translation and validation of a chinese version of the family sense of coherence scale in Chinese childbearing families.

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.

OBJECTIVES: 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.

DISCUSSION: 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.