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; Anderson & Sabatelli, 1992). 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.