Circumplex Model: Curvilinearity Using Clinical Rating Scale (CRS) and FACES III

The Clinical Rating Scale (CRS) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES III) were used to test the hypothesis suggesting a curvilinear relationship between the Circumplex Model dimensions cohesion and adaptability and other variables of family functioning. The specific hypothesis was that clinical families will have more extreme than balanced system types. Frequency analysis and polynomial regression analysis were applied to test the hypothesis. The observational measure (CRS) strongly supported the hypothesis and the curvilinearity, but the self-report measure (FACES III) did not support the hypothesis. The discrepancy between the CRS and FACES III was interpreted as a methodological limitation of the FACES, which operated as a linear scale. The CRS, however, provided clear support of the theoretical idea of the curvilinearity of the Circumplex Model. The relevance and utility of the CRS and FACES III for mamage and family practitioners are discussed.