Multiple Views on Family Data: The Sample Case of Adolescent, Maternal, and Paternal Perspectives on Family Differentiation Levels

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Abstract
The major objective of this article is to demonstrate a data analysis technique-confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling-that can be used when the researcher has multiple perspectives on the same variables. The present data set was constructed from two samples that contained information collected on adolescents: mothers: and fathers' perspectives on family differentiation levels as measured by the Differentiation in the Family System Scale (DIFS; Anderson & Sabatelli, 1992). Results of the combined sample confirmatory factor analysis procedures indicated that the family members' perspectives converged and could be used as a single latent variable. The methodological implications of these findings are discussed.