Validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Persian version of Family Dynamic Environment (FDE) scale among juvenile delinquents

Previous studies have identified that the most powerful contributor to delinquent behavior among adolescents is the family dynamic environment. Here, family dynamic environment refers to the psychological climate within a family, derived from parenting attitudes, marital relationships, parent–child relationships, and relationships among family members. Thus, Family Dynamic Environment (FDE) scale was developed by Kim and Kim (2007) to assessment of familial dynamics related to delinquency and criminal behavior in adolescents. The presents study was aimed at examining the validity, reliability, and factor structure of FDE among Iranian juvenile delinquents. The research method was descriptive survey and factor analysis was used. The study sample consisted of 554 students; 302 typical students and 242 students with delinquency backgrounds. They were selected from among all high school students by a cluster random sampling method. They completed Family Dynamic Environment (FDE; Kim & Kim, 2007) scale, Family Assessment Device (FAD; Bishop, Epestine & Baldwin, 1980), and questionnaire of attitude toward delinquent behaviors (Fazli, 2010). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of FDE scale was confirmed according to the factor structure proposed by its developers. The internal consistency of parent-child relationship, paternal parenting attitude, maternal rearing attitude, psychological climate, and family cohesion using Cronbach’s Alpha obtained 0.92, 0.92, 0.86, 0.81 and 0.71 that proved the efficiency of the scale for its factors. The results of correlation showed that the dimensions of FDE scale has a reverse relationship with positive attitude toward delinquency, and has a positive significant relationship with negative attitude toward delinquency (p<0.01). Moreover, there was a negative significant relationship between the dimensions of FDE scale and Family Assessment Device (FAD) (p<0.01). The results of the present study showed that the factor structure, validity, and reliability of FDE scale are acceptable to determine the role of family dynamic environment in development of delinquent behaviors among Iranian adolescents. This scale can be applied by mental health researchers and professionals who are looking for developing measurement tools and more appropriate cultural interventions for the adolescents in Iranian culture.