Development and Validation of a Family Member Marginalization Measure (FM³): Difference, Disapproval, and Exclusion Dimensions

Abstract

Despite burgeoning research about family distancing, researchers have yet to operationalize any family distancing construct. This paper describes the development and validation of a new measure operationalizing three components of family member marginalization (i.e., difference, disapproval, and exclusion). We evaluated the Family Member Marginalization Measure (FM³) using data from college students (Study 1; N = 191) and self-identified marginalized family members (Study 2; N = 285). Confirmatory factor analyses verified the three dimensions of perceived family member marginalization and the 39-item FM³ proved both reliable and valid. Potential applications of the scale and avenues for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Difference
• Disapproval
• Exclusion
• Family Communication
• Marginalization

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The term “black sheep” is used in this study’s recruitment materials as it is the colloquial phrase known in the U.S. for family member marginalization. We recognize the term links blackness with undesirability and therefore use the conceptual label of “family member marginalization” wherever possible.

2. The short form was also tested using Study 1 data and it performed similarly (α = .92). The correlation between the overall marginalization variable and the short form was very strong (r = .97, p < .001).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Dorrance-Hall

Elizabeth Dorrance-Hall (PhD, Purdue University) is a Director of the Family Communication and Relationships Lab and Assistant Professor of Communication at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on difficult communication in close relationships.

Nicole Campbell

Nicole Campbell has a MA in Communication from Michigan State University and a MA in social psychology from New York University. Her research focuses on close relationships and attachment.

Molly Carlisle

Molly Carlisle graduated with her MA in Communication from Michigan State University. Her research focuses on interpersonal conflict, reactance, and family communication.

Emily Lance

Emily Lance has an MA in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University.

Mengyan Ma

Mengyan Ma (PhD, Michigan State University) is an Assistant Professor of Integrated Strategic Communication at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Her research focuses on social media, consumer attitude and behavior, and interpersonal communication.

Kristina Scharp

Kristina M. Scharp (PhD, University of Iowa) is a Director of the Family Communication and Relationships Lab and an Associate Professor of Communication at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on difficult transitions and the ways people cope with the major disruptions to their lives.