Family Problem-Solving Communication Index (FPSC)

Abstract

The Family Problem –Solving Communication Index (FPSC) is a concise psychological scale designed to assess self-reported patterns of communication within a family unit, particularly when the family is confronting problems, conflicts, or stress. Developed within the broader framework of family resilience and coping research by McCubbin and colleagues, the 10-item instrument delineates family communication into two crucial, distinct dimensions. These dimensions are Affirming Communication, which captures positive and supportive interactions, and Incendiary Communication, which measures destructive, conflict-escalating behaviors. The FPSC provides a rapid and standardized method for researchers and clinicians to evaluate the quality of a family’s Family Problem-Solving environment.

Keywords

Family communication, Conflict resolution, Problem-Solving, Family assessment, FPSC, Affirming Communication, Incendiary Communication, Psychological measurement, Family coping, Resilience.

Authors

Hamilton I. McCubbin, Marilyn A. McCubbin, Anne I. Thomson

Purpose

The primary purpose of the FPSC is to quantitatively measure the communicative methods families employ when addressing internal difficulties or external crises. The instrument is instrumental in identifying whether a family utilizes constructive, supportive communication patterns or relies on detrimental behaviors that inhibit effective conflict resolution and adaptation. By assessing these two opposing factors, the FPSC allows for a nuanced understanding of a family’s capacity for resilience and successful coping strategies during periods of heightened stress.

The scale is frequently utilized in clinical practice to diagnose communication deficiencies and in academic research to explore the relationship between communication styles and overall family functioning, health outcomes, and relational quality.

Construct

The FPSC measures the overarching construct of Family Problem-Solving Communication, conceptualized as a bipolar construct consisting of positive (affirming) and negative (incendiary) behavioral patterns.

• Affirming Communication: This subscale assesses the presence of positive, respectful, and supportive communication styles. High scores reflect a family’s ability to employ empathy, active listening, provide mutual emotional safety, and work toward positive conflict resolution. These behaviors are indicative of a healthy and adaptive family system.
• Incendiary Communication: This subscale captures the extent of destructive, aggressive, or conflict-avoidant behaviors. High scores here indicate maladaptive patterns such as yelling, escalating disputes by introducing unrelated historical grievances, or withdrawing from conflict without achieving resolution. These patterns hinder effective Family Problem-Solving and increase overall family distress.

Validity

While specific psychometric statistics such as detailed construct validity coefficients are typically found within the primary academic publications, the FPSC has established content and construct validity through its inclusion in authoritative sourcebooks of clinical measures, such as Measures for Clinical Practice and Research by Fischer and Corcoran (2007). Its two-factor structure (Affirming and Incendiary) aligns theoretically with recognized models of family communication theory and conflict management, supporting its validity in measuring these distinct constructs.

The scale’s continued use in family studies and theses, such as Jordaan’s (2011) work on affirming communication, further supports its utility and face validity as a reliable indicator of family interaction quality under duress.

Reliability

Reliability of the FPSC is generally reported via measures of internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) within the research literature that employs the scale. Though specific alpha levels are not provided in the summary source, instruments included in major inventories like those edited by McCubbin and colleagues typically demonstrate acceptable to high levels of reliability, ensuring consistent measurement of the Affirming Communication and Incendiary Communication factors.

Factor Analysis

The FPSC is explicitly structured around a two-factor model, confirmed through factor analytic procedures conducted during its development. These two factors—Affirming Communication and Incendiary Communication—are derived from the 10 core items. This structure confirms that the scale measures two distinct, though potentially correlated, dimensions of family interaction during problem-solving attempts.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Psychological Scale / Inventory

Format: 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale.

Language Available: Primarily English (translations may exist but are not specified in the source material).

Population Group: Family members or individuals reporting on the dynamics of their family unit.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults capable of self-reporting on family dynamics.

Population Details: Used across diverse family structures and clinical populations to assess communication patterns.

Test Methodology: Respondents are asked to describe their family using the 10 statements based on how the family struggles with problems or conflicts which upset them. The response options are quantitative:

• 0 = False
• 1 = Mostly false
• 2 = Mostly true
• 3 = True

Keywords

McCubbin, Family Crisis, Family Resilience, Communication style, Family Functioning, Clinical measurement, Problem-Solving Communication Index, Likert Scale, Psychological assessment, Family dynamics.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Not provided in source)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Not provided in source)

Correspondence Address: Correspondence should be directed to the primary authors or the publisher of the compilation volume, the University of Wisconsin System.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The FPSC was developed in 1988 (McCubbin, Thomson, & McCubbin, 1988) and formally published in the 1996 inventory, Family Assessment: Resiliency, Coping and Adaptation. Specific information regarding current fees or licensing permissions must be sought directly from the primary authors (McCubbin, McCubbin, and Thomson) or the publisher, the University of Wisconsin System, or Oxford University Press for the sourcebook listing.

Reference’s

The instrument can be found in several major publications. The original PDF for an academic thesis using the instrument can be downloaded here: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10019.1/17995/jordaan_affirming_2011.pdf?sequence=2. Another relevant PDF source is available here: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/6513/0948/1146/EDAS_Family%20Focus%20Toolkit.pdf.

• Fischer, Joel., Corcoran, Kevin J. (2007). Measures for Clinical Practice and research: A sourcebook. (4th ed.). NY: Oxford University Pr. Vol. 1, Page(s): 314-315.
• Jordaan, Cabrière. (2011). Affirming communication and its association with family functioning. University of Stellenbosch. Master of Arts thesis.
• McCubbin, H., Olson, D., & Larsen, A. (1981). Family crisis oriented personal scales. In H. McCubbin, A. Thompson, & M. McCubbin (Eds.), Family assessment: Resiliency, coping and adaptation: Inventories for research and practice (pp. 455-507). Madison: University of Wisconsin System.
• McCubbin, M., McCubbin, H., & Thompson, A. (1996). Family problem solving communication. In H. McCubbin, A. Thompson, & M. McCubbin (Eds.), Family assessment: Resiliency, coping and adaptation: Inventories for research and practice (pp. 639-686). Madison: University of Wisconsin System.
• McCubbin, M.A., McCubbin, H.I., & Thomson, A.I. (1988). Family problem solving communication (FPSC). In H.I. McCubbin, A.I. Thomson, & M.A. McCubbin (1996). Family assessment: Resiliency, coping and adaption – inventories for research and practice (pp. 639–686). Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin System.
• McCullough, C., Wilson, N., Teasdale, T., Kolpakchi, A., & Skelly, J. (1993). Mapping personal, familial, and professional values in long-term care decisions. The Gerontologist, 33(3), 324-332.

Items of the Family Problem –Solving Communication Index (FPSC)

When our family struggles with problems or conflicts which upset us, I would describe my family in the following way:

1. We yell and scream at each other
2. We are respectful of each others’ feelings
3. We talk things through till we reach a resolution
4. We work hard to be sure family members are not hurt‚ emotionally or physically
5. We walk away from conflicts without much satisfaction
6. We share with each other how much we care for one another
7. We make matters more difficult by fighting and bring up old matters
8. We take time to hear what each other has to say or feel
9. We work to be calm and talk things through
10. We get upset‚ but we try to end our conflicts on a positive note

Response Scale: 0 = False‚ 1 = Mostly false‚ 2 = Mostly true‚ 3 = True

Scoring Instructions:

• Reverse score items 3 & 9.
• For Affirming Communication: sum items 2‚ 4‚ 6‚ 8‚ 10.
• For Incendiary Communication: sum items 1‚ 3‚ 5‚ 7‚ 9.