Validation of the WFRQ in grandfamilies

The current quantitative study examined the validity of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ) for use in grandfamilies (n = 70). Valid tools for measuring family resilience are of great benefit for individuals who want to cultivate family resilience and adjustment. The WFRQ has been found to be a validated measure of family resilience in many groups. Constructs in the measure align well with known stressors faced by grandfamilies and the measure is promising for this population. Custodial grandparents completed an online survey as part of a broader study which included measures of resilience, distress, and child behavior. Cronbach’s alpha of the WFRQ in our sample was adequate and subscales were positively correlated. The WFRQ was negatively associated with psychological distress and parenting stress, and positively associated with social support and individual resilience. Additionally, regression analyses revealed the WFRQ was predictive of grandchild internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Findings indicate the WFRQ is a useful tool in research and clinical work with grandfamilies. The WFRQ is an efficient way to understand grandfamilies’ support and identify intervention targets.