Family Mealtime Q-Sort: A Measure of Mealtime Practices

Studies outlining the protective functions of shared family meals suggest that helping families experience successful meals is an important goal. Measuring the effectiveness of family mealtime interventions necessitates the ability to quantify both the frequency and context of shared mealtimes. This...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family psychology 2010-02, Vol.24 (1), p.92-96
Main Authors: Kiser, Laurel J, Medoff, Deborah, Black, Maureen M, Nurse, Winona, Fiese, Barbara H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Cooperative Behavior
Evaluation
Families & family life
Family
Family - psychology
Family meals
Feeding Behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Instruments
Male
Meals
Mealtimes
Measurement
Observation Methods
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychometric properties
Psychometrics
Psychometrics. Sociometry
Quantitative psychology
Social Behavior
Social psychology
Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:Studies outlining the protective functions of shared family meals suggest that helping families experience successful meals is an important goal. Measuring the effectiveness of family mealtime interventions necessitates the ability to quantify both the frequency and context of shared mealtimes. This article introduces a new instrument, the Family Mealtime Q-Sort, describes its development, and presents preliminary data about its psychometric properties. Data from initial evaluation of the Family Mealtime Q-Sort using family mealtime videos ( N = 51) demonstrate acceptable interrater reliability, promising validity, and the ability to compare family mealtimes to an independently derived, culturally appropriate standard. The results suggest that the Q-sort adequately measures important dimensions of a successful mealtime including a positive atmosphere, making use of the shared time to engage in meaningful conversation, and proceeding with a clear plan and minimal distractions. Further research on the tool is warranted.
ISSN:0893-3200
1939-1293
DOI:10.1037/a0017946