Family functioning in the Mozambican context: Results of a psychometric study of the SCORE-15 scale

The Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation (SCORE)-15 scale is a widely used tool for measuring family functioning across three dimensions: strengths and adaptability, overwhelmed by difficulties, and disrupted communication. This study assessed the factorial validity and reliability of the SCORE-15 in the Mozambican context. Four-hundred university students completed the SCORE-15 scale and the depression, anxiety and hostility subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure that presented adequate model fit and reliability indexes. Poorer family functioning was correlated with psychopathological symptoms, except for the association between depression and disrupted communication. Women revealed higher levels of disrupted communication, while being single was associated with lower levels of being overwhelmed by difficulties and disrupted communication. Age was positively associated with being overwhelmed by difficulties and disrupted communication. The Mozambican version of the SCORE-15 showed good factorial validity and reliability and can be used in this national diverse socio-cultural context.