Children's Definitions of Family Power and Cohesion Affect Scores on the Family System Test

This study examines assumptions underlying the Family System Test (FAST), a figure placement tool created to measure perceptions of family members' power and cohesion. Past research with this instrument has not addressed whether participants' definitions of the constructs might influence their depiction of family structure. In this investigation participants completed the standard protocol of the FAST and a structured interview to determine their definitions of power and cohesion. Participants were then categorized and placed into groups according to classification of their definitions. Results indicated that participants' definitions significantly affected both perceived family power scores and perceived family cohesion scores.