| Two research studies were conducted to provide evidence for the construct and criterion-related validity of the Family Impact of Disability Assessment (FIDA) tool (Department of Community Resources [DCR], 2006). The FIDA was developed to provide a quantifiable measure of the impact of caring for a child with an intellectual disability (ID) on parents. Study 1 ( N = 593) included data on the FIDA, a parent self-report questionnaire (PSRQ), a Likert measure of the interviewer's perception of the impact of caring for a child with an ID on the family (assessor Likert question [ALQ]), and the Daily Living Supports (DLS; DCR, 1996) assessment, a measure of the daily living care needs of the child with an ID. Study 2 (N =34) involved the administration of two additional comparison measures, the Friedrich short form (QRS-F; Friedrich, Greenberg, & Crnic, 1983) of the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (QRS; Holroyd, 1987), and Strahan and Gerbasi's (Strahan & Gerbasi, 1972) X2 short-form (MCSDS-X2) of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960).;Correlation analyses were used to assess the discriminant validity of the FIDA. The FIDA results were compared to the DLS, PSRQ and ALQ in Study 1; and to the QRS-F and MCSDS-X2 in Study 2. The discriminant validity of the FIDA was supported by the results of the Study 1, and partially supported by the results of Study 2.;Linear regression analyses were used to assess the potential for a two-measure and a one-measure model to predict performance on the FIDA. The two-measure model including the PSRQ and the ALQ significantly predicted 42% of the variance on the FIDA. The one-measure model (QRS-F) failed to significantly predict the FIDA results; however, the QRS-F significantly predicted 19% of the variance on the Capacity sub-scale of the FIDA.;Finally, factor analyses were used to demonstrate the factorial validity of the FIDA. An exploratory factor analysis supported a three-factor solution for the FIDA, consistent with its sub-scale structure. In addition, when the items from the FIDA were pooled with items from other measures, the DLS and the MCSDS-X2, the FIDA items tended to load together, separate from the items from the other measures. The analysis of a pool of items from the QRS-F and the FIDA failed to produce significant results.;Correlation analyses were used to assess the convergent validity of the FIDA. The FIDA results were compared to the DLS, PSRQ, ALQ (Study 1) and the QRS-F (Study 2). The convergent validity of the FIDA was supported by the results of Study 1, and partially supported by the results of Study 2.;The data gathered in the two studies provided evidence in support of the criterion-related and construct validity of the FIDA. Future avenues for research and the implications for parents as a result of this research are discussed. |
