Validating the systemic clinical outcome and routine evaluation index to the Maltese context

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of the SCORE-15 when translated to the Maltese context. The Maltese translation of SCORE-15 was administered to a sample of 53 clinical families resulting in a total of 81 individuals, and 20 non-clinical participants, with a total of 101 individual participants. Results showed that SCORE-15 distinguished between the clinical and non-clinical families when analyzing the three subscales of Family Strengths, Family Communication and Family Difficulties, and the overall scores. Additionally, results demonstrated a good internal consistency and test retest reliability. The 90th percentile cutoff threshold for the Maltese version was also indicated. The preliminary data analysis obtained during this research, demonstrated that the Maltese version of SCORE-15 is a useful tool to evaluate progress. A major limitation of the study is the small number of participants. Due to various reasons, only a few clinical families completed SCORE-15 during Time 1 and Time 2 of the therapeutic process. Future research should analyse the questionnaire’s sensitivity to change overtime when families participate in therapy. The administration of SCORE-15 among 80 families seeking help during their first systemic therapy session and during the fourth session would serve to validate the instrument.