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A systematic review of the measurement properties of the Family Empowerment Scale

ORCID Icon, , , &
Pages 856-869 | Received 17 Jun 2022, Accepted 06 Feb 2023, Published online: 26 Feb 2023
 

Abstract

Purpose

To systematically review and evaluate existing psychometric evidence for the Family Empowerment Scale (FES), which has been widely used to measure empowerment across the world.

Methods

Three databases were searched up until December 2021. Eligible studies were identified by an interdisciplinary team using the PRISMA procedure. The methodological quality of psychometrics (Risk of Bias standards) and sufficiency of each psychometric property (e.g., reliability, content validity, construct validity, responsiveness) were independently evaluated by three members, following COnsesus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN).

Results

Twelve studies involving 3278 caregivers were included in the review. Studies reported limited information about content validity and study sample characteristics. There is sufficient evidence with moderate methodological quality to support structural validity for a four and three-bifactor structure. Sufficient evidence with good methodological quality was found for internal consistency. No studies examined responsiveness.

Conclusions

Future psychometric studies of the FES should include diverse families and establish content validity following current COSMIN standards. Structural validity evidence does not support the original three-factor structure, which suggests the need to refine the theoretical measurement constructs. Responsiveness is needed prior to using FES as an instrument of change in applied research studies.

    Implications for Rehabilitation

  • The evidence for the use of the Family Empowerment Scale (FES) is primarily with families of children with disabilities who identify as white, non-Hispanic, and live in the US.

  • Across studies, evidence suggests the FES items work well together to measure family empowerment.

  • Caution should be used when using the FES to measure changes in empowerment over time.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

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