Detecting therapeutic improvement early in therapy: validation of the SCORE-15 Index of Family Functioning and Change. Journal of Family Therapy

Chris Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The SCORE index of family functioning and change is an established
measure, with strong psychometric properties, of the quality of family life.
We report the sensitivity to therapeutic change of the short form, the
SCORE-15. Data are reported from 584 participants aged above 11 years,
representing 239 families. All couples and families had been referred for
systemic couples and family therapy, completing the form at start of the
first session and close to the fourth. The SCORE-15 is shown to be
acceptable with strong consistency and reliability. Change over only three
sessions was highly statistically significant. Further validation is provided
by improvements in quantified scores correlating significantly with independent
measures provided by family members and by their therapists.
The SCORE-15 is a proven measure of therapy and of therapeutic change
in family functioning. It is therefore a routinely usable tool applicable to
service evaluation, quality improvement, and to support clinical practice.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-19
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Family Therapy
Volume36
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • SCORE
  • systemic psychotherapy
  • family functioning
  • validity
  • outcome

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