Family quality of life: measurement and validity

Raising a child with a developmental disability presents a unique set of challenges for families and these are assumed to affect the family's quality of life (FQOL). The purpose of the current study is to examine convergent and divergent validity of the Family Quality of Life Survey-2006 by comparing it to other family measures, as well as to explore how these measures contribute to overall FQOL. Based on interviews with 30 families of children with developmental disabilities, modest convergent and divergent validity of the FQOL measure was found. A regression revealed that mental health problems and marital satisfaction accounted for most of the variance in overall FQOL. Limitations of the study and directions for future research and improved conceptualization of FQOL are discussed.