Family Member Impact Questionnaire
Family Member Impact Questionnaire used in psychology are essential tools for clinical and research assessments. This post is based on dissertations submitted by students during their academic programs. At ‘Mental Health,’ we arrange and provide these resources to you. Here is the complete list of resources (Click Here). To access these materials, click on the ‘Avail File’ section below.”
Table of Contents
About Family Member Impact Questionnaire
The Family Member Impact Questionnaire (FMIQ) is a standardized assessment tool designed to evaluate the effects of a family member’s addiction, such as alcohol, drug, or gambling issues, on their relatives. The tool aims to assess the stress, coping mechanisms, and emotional strain experienced by family members. It is frequently used in research and clinical settings to understand the impact of addiction on families and to support the development of appropriate interventions.
Purpose of the Tool
The FMIQ is primarily designed to evaluate the psychosocial effects of living with or being closely associated with an individual struggling with addiction. By identifying the levels of stress and strain that family members endure, the tool helps clinicians to offer better support services, such as counseling and stress management programs. It also facilitates research on the family dynamics of addiction and the long-term impact of living with a person affected by alcohol, drug, or gambling problems.
Background
The FMIQ was developed through extensive research conducted by Orford and his colleagues, who sought to understand the effects of alcoholism-complicated marriages on treatment outcomes. Over time, the scope of the tool was expanded to cover the impacts of drug and gambling addiction as well. The questionnaire has been used to measure how family members cope with the stress caused by the addiction of a loved one and how that stress influences their psychological well-being and the cohesiveness of family relationships.
The Family Member Impact Questionnaire is composed of multiple sections, each focusing on different aspects of the family member’s experience. It assesses levels of stress, coping mechanisms, and the emotional and psychological strain that addiction imposes on family members. Responses are rated on a Likert scale, allowing for the measurement of varying degrees of impact.
The tool includes questions that focus on:
- Personal stress and strain: How the family member feels emotionally and physically due to the addict’s behavior.
- Coping strategies: The methods family members use to manage stress, including healthy or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Support structures: The availability and effectiveness of external support, such as counseling or group therapy.
- Family cohesion: The strength and unity of the family, particularly when dealing with the challenges posed by addiction.
Psychometric Properties
The FMIQ has undergone several validation studies, proving it to be a reliable and valid measure of family members’ experiences when living with someone struggling with addiction. The tool has demonstrated high internal consistency across different populations. Studies suggest that it is sensitive to changes over time, meaning that it can track shifts in family members’ emotional well-being and coping strategies during and after treatment for the addicted family member.
Age Group
The FMIQ is designed to be used with adult family members who are affected by the addiction of a close relative, whether it be alcohol, drug, or gambling-related addiction. Though primarily used with adults, the questionnaire can also be adapted for use with older adolescents who are living with or closely associated with an addicted family member.
References
- Orford, J., Oppenheimer, E., Egert, S., Hensman, C., & Guthrie, S. (1976). The cohesiveness of alcoholism-complicated marriages and its influences on treatment outcome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 128, 318-339.
- Velleman, R., & Orford, J. (1999). Risk and Resilience: Adults Who Were the Children of Problem Drinkers. Reading: Harwood.
- Orford, J., Templeton, L., Velleman, R., & Copello, A. (2005). Family members of relatives with alcohol, drug, and gambling problems: A set of standardized questionnaires for assessing stress, coping, and strain. Addiction, 100(11), 1611-1624.
- Orford, J., Templeton, L., Velleman, R., & Copello, A. (2010). Methods of assessment for affected family members. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 17(S1). doi: 10.3109/09687637.2010.514783
- Orford, J. (2014). Testing the short questionnaire for family members affected by addiction: help required. Retrieved from: AFINetwork
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