FACES IV & the Circumplex Model: Validation Study

FACES IV was developed to tap the full continuum of the cohesion and flexibility dimensions from the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. Six scales were developed, with two balanced scales and four unbalanced scales designed to tap low & high cohesion (disengaged and enmeshed) and flexibility (rigid and chaotic). This study provides initial evidence the six scales in FACES IV are reliable and valid. High levels of concurrent, construct and predictive validity were found and new ratio scores measure the balanced and unbalanced level of cohesion and flexibility. A clinical example on the use of FACES IV scores to assess family dynamics, plan the treatment and determine the impact of family therapy is provided.