Measurement Properties of Sabogal’s Familism Scale: Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study

Citation

Campos, Belinda; Roesch, Scott C.; Gonzalez, Patricia; Hooker, Emily D.; Castaneda, Sheila F.; Maisonet Giachello, Aida L.; Perreira, Krista M.; & Gallo, Linda C. (2019). Measurement Properties of Sabogal's Familism Scale: Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 7(4), 257-272. PMCID: PMC6918829

Abstract

Familism is a central Hispanic/Latino cultural value that emphasizes close, supportive family relationships and prioritizing family over the self. One of its better known measures is Sabogal’s Familism Scale. Although widely used, this scale’s measurement properties are not well understood. This study addressed that gap by examining the factor structure, factorial invariance, convergent and discriminant validity, and internal consistency of Sabogal’s Familism Scale using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study. A diverse population-based sample of Hispanics/Latinos (N = 5,313) completed measures that were administered via interview in English or Spanish. Confirmatory factor analyses (n = 5,310) revealed that a 3-factor model (familial obligations, perceived support from the family, family as referents; Sabogal’s original 3 factors) fit the data well and did not vary across English- and Spanish-language groups (i.e., factorial invariance). Convergent and discriminant validities were also established; familism correlated positively with other Hispanic/Latino cultural values (simpatía [sympathy], fatalism) and correlated negatively with U.S. acculturation. Internal consistency was acceptable. Sabogal’s Familism Scale is recommended for continued use in the study of familism in U.S. Hispanics/Latinos.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/lat0000126

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2019

Journal Title

Journal of Latinx Psychology

Author(s)

Campos, Belinda
Roesch, Scott C.
Gonzalez, Patricia
Hooker, Emily D.
Castaneda, Sheila F.
Maisonet Giachello, Aida L.
Perreira, Krista M.
Gallo, Linda C.

PMCID

PMC6918829

ORCiD

Perreira - 0000-0003-2906-0261