Development of the protective factors survey, military families (PFS-MF)

Abstract: Many family service organizations offer services targeted to the needs of families with one or both parents serving in a branch of the armed forces. To support these organizations, we adapted the Protective Factors Survey, 2nd Edition (PFS-2) to capture experiences of military family life and establish the new survey's reliability and validity. We conducted focus groups with military family members, consulted with experts in field, and reviewed existing research to develop new items. We fielded an online survey with a convenience sample of military family members and civilian caregivers to collect data on new and existing PFS-2 items, which we analyzed for performance with military families compared to civilians, and psychometric characteristics. Our analysis confirmed that original PFS-2 items worked well for military families, and there was not a significant difference between how military and non-military respondents responded to these items. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a 5-factor structure, representing protective factor constructs of nurturing and attachment, social support, concrete support, military family life and resilience, and a fifth construct related to program evaluation. The Protective Factors Survey, Military Families (PFS-MF) possesses sound psychometric properties measuring protective factors which support family resilience and reduce the probability of child maltreatment. The PFS-MF fills a gap as a short, free, flexible survey that measures multiple protective factors as they relate to the military experience. It can be used as an evaluation tool to measure program effectiveness, inform needs assessments, make programmatic decisions, and tailor individual services.