Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
The need for instruments for the assessment of prisoners to enhance rehabilitation was identified by the Department of Correctional Services. The Department of Correctional Services requested the supervisor to develop instruments for assessing prisoners. The researcher was requested to develop instruments for a specific area of assessment, namely, family assessment.
Focus groups were used to identify the specific focus of the assessment instruments for prisoners. Analyzing the results of the focus groups lead to identifying the specific needs regarding a broad field of assessment areas. The main focus of family assessment that was identified through the focus groups are:
• Partner satisfaction
• Satisfaction with parenting
• Relationship with parent (mother and or father)
• Satisfaction with support
• Family functioning
The process of scale development as described by Faul (1995) was discussed. Specific attention was given to the different phases of this process, namely the pre-development phase, development phase, validation phase, and utilization phase.
The systems theory was used as theoretical frame for the development of the assessment instruments. From the communication approach, strategic approach, and the structural approach, an integrated approach was developed. This integrated approach was used as conceptual frame for the development of assessment instruments.
The five assessment areas were operationalized. Attributes that can be associated with each construct were used to give a definition of each construct. The attributes of the constructs were used as the basis for item generation when the scales were developed.
Five steps were followed in the development phase. The items were designed, the scale lengths were determined, items were scaled, a scoring formula was developed, and instructions were written.
In the validation phase, the reliability and the validity of the new scales were investigated. The results of the validation study show that the newly developed scales are reliable and valid, and can be used for family assessment of prisoners.
Methodological conclusions were used to make recommendations regarding the use of the assessment instruments, the development of programmes, and further research that must be done.