FACES IV

FACES IV

FACES IV & Circumplex Model:
 Olson (In Press)–2010 (23 pages)

Comparison of FACES IV with
 FACES II and III Overview (1 page)

Circumplex Model and FACES IV
 Map (1 page)

I. Overview Article on Circumplex Model and FACES
Olson and Gorall 2003 (33 pages)

II. Review of Studies on Circumplex Model
using FACES II & III
Kouneski 2000 (60 pages)

III. Over 500 FACES Studies & References
Kouneski 2000 (47 pages - 17.5MB)

Overview of FACES IV Package

David H. Olson, Dean M. Gorall and Judy W. Tiesel

After many years in development, FACES IV is now available for use in research projects, educational programs and clinical work. In order to make the FACES IV Package more comprehensive than the previous versions of FACES, the package now includes the six scales from FACES IV and the additional scales of Family Communication and the Family Satisfaction. While FACES IV assesses the cohesion and flexibility dimensions, Family Communication assesses communication (the third dimension of the Circumplex Model) and Family Satisfaction assesses how happy family members are with their family system.

FACES IV Scales: New Features

  • Six new family scales: These six scales assess the dimensions of family cohesion and family flexibility from the Circumplex Model. These six scales include two balanced and four unbalanced scales. These scales have very good levels of reliability and validity. There are seven items in each scale, making a total of 42 items in FACES IV.

  • Two Balanced Scales: These two scales are called Balanced Cohesion and Balanced Flexibility-similar to FACES II so results can be linked with past research using FACES. These scores are linear scales so that the higher the score, the more positive.

  • Four Unbalanced Scales: These four scales assess the low and high extremes of the two dimensions called Disengaged and Enmeshed for the Cohesion dimension and Rigid and Chaotic for the Flexibility dimension. The higher the score the more problematic the family system.

  • Six Family Types: Using cluster analysis of the six FACES IV scales, six family types were identified and they ranged from happy to unhappy and were called: Balanced, Rigidly Cohesive, Midrange, Flexibly Unbalanced, Chaotically Unbalanced and Unbalanced.

  • Circumplex Model-Revised: The revised model enables one to graphically plot the six FACES IV scales onto the Circumplex Model.

    Circumplex Model for FACES IV

  • Balanced/Unbalanced Ratio Score: This score is designed to assess the level of function/dysfunction in a family system and to assess curvilinearity.

    Family Communication Scale:
     This 10 item scale addresses many of the most important aspects of communication in a family system. Communication is considered a facilitating dimension in the Circumplex Model and there is now a short and reliable assessment for this dimension.

    Family Satisfaction Scale:
     This 10 item scale assesses the satisfaction of family members in regard to family cohesion, flexibility and communication. This is an important addition to the package since it assesses satisfaction with the current family system.

    FACES IV Package: Profile Summary
     This profile is designed to plot the six FACES IV scales along with the Family Communication and Family Satisfaction scales.

    • Additional Information about FACES IV:

     Sample Items on FACES IV

    Overview of FACES IV

    Agreement on Usage

    Abstract Form for Use of FACES IV

    Guidelines for Translation

    Score & Store FACES Data in Excel



    Cost of the FACES IV Package:

    The cost for the FACES IV Package and permission to use it for a research project or clinical assessment is $95. The person ordering FACES IV also receives unlimited rights to duplicate the assessment for their own project. However, this fee provides permission to only the person who purchases the assessment.

    Student discounts for doctoral dissertations are $75.

    Print the FACES IV Order Form