Purpose of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The Personal Authority in the Family System (PAFS) questionnaire aims to explore relationship patterns between two generations within the family system. It focuses on understanding personal authority and relational dynamics among family members, with the goal of assessing the individual’s ability to differentiate, manage conflict, and maintain healthy relationships with their parents. It is designed for use with students, families, and individuals seeking to examine intergenerational relationships. It is widely used in both research and therapeutic settings by mental health professionals.

Questionnaire (Scale) Analysis

The PAFS was developed in 1984 by Bray, Williamson, and Malone at the Houston Family Institute. It includes a total of 54 items answered using a five-point Likert scale. The questionnaire consists of four main subscales. The INFUS subscale (Individuation from family of origin) includes items 9 and 39 through 44 and assesses the extent to which a person has emotionally and psychologically differentiated from their family of origin. The UNINT subscale (Unresolved intimacy issues) includes items 2, 3, 5 through 8, 21 through 38, and 45 and measures the degree to which relational intimacy issues with parents have been resolved. The ININIT subscale (Intergenerational intimacy) includes items 10 through 20 and evaluates emotional involvement and equality in relationships with parents. Lastly, the NFTRI subscale (Non-functional triangulation) includes items 1, 4, and 47 through 54 and measures the extent to which the respondent becomes involved in parental conflicts via triangulation. Items 1 through 8, 11 through 14, 21 through 38, 43, and 45 are reverse-scored, meaning the value is subtracted from 6.

Item Scoring

Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale (1 to 5). For reverse-scored items, the value selected is subtracted from 6. Then, the values of the relevant items are summed for each subscale to produce the subscale scores. Higher scores on the INFUS subscale indicate greater differentiation and autonomy from the family of origin. Higher scores on the UNINT subscale suggest greater intimacy and resolution of relational issues. In contrast, higher scores on the ININIT and NFTRI subscales indicate lower involvement in triangulated family dynamics and thus healthier family functioning.

Statistical Analysis

The questionnaire demonstrates strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 across the four subscales. These statistical properties have been confirmed both in the original English version and in the Greek adaptation sample. Analysis of the subscales provides valuable insight into emotional differentiation, independence, involvement in parental conflicts, and relational boundary management. For example, a high score on the INFUS subscale suggests that the individual maintains a stable identity regardless of parental influence, while a low score on the NFTRI subscale reflects reduced triangulation and healthier relational dynamics.

Validity of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The questionnaire shows strong content validity, with evidence of convergent validity through its correlation with the Ego Identity Scale. Construct validity has also been supported by the Greek adaptation study, which confirmed that the instrument adequately measures the constructs of differentiation, intimacy, and triangulation within parent-child relationships.

Reliability of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The reliability of the PAFS is supported by Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 for the four subscales in the Greek sample. These values indicate high internal consistency and suggest that the instrument is reliable for use in Greek populations. The reproducibility of the results makes the questionnaire suitable for both research and clinical use.

Bibliography

Triliva, S. (1990). Identity and relatedness within the family of origin in urban and rural Greece. Doctoral Dissertation, Rutgers University.
Triliva, S., & Zippa, M. (2000). Adaptation and standardization of the PAFS in Greece.
Bray, J. H., Williamson, D. S., & Malone, P. E. (1984). PAFS: Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire Manual. Houston, TX: Family Institute.
Bray, J. H., Williamson, D. S., & Malone, P. E. (1984). Personal authority in the family system: Development of a questionnaire to measure personal authority in intergenerational family process. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 10, 167–178.