Multiple Views on Family Data: The Sample Case of Adolescent,Maternal, and Paternal Perspectives on Family Differentiation Levels

The major objective of this article is to demonstrate a data analysis technique — confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling — that can be used when the researcher has multiple perspectives on the same variables. The present data set was constructed from two samples that contained information collected on adolescents', mothers', and fathers' perspectives on family differentiation levels as measured by the Differentiation in the Family System Scale (DIFS; 4 ). Results of the combined sample confirmatory factor analysis procedures indicated that the family members’ perspectives converged and could be used as a single latent variable. The methodological implications of these findings are discussed.