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Although structural family theory proposes that family boundaries play a significant role in marital relationships, limited empirical evidence supports this theoretical model. The present study tested structural family theory by examining the complex associations between intergenerational boundaries and adult children's marital satisfaction, as well as the indirect effect of family adaptability and cohesion. A nonclinical convenience sample of individuals (333 participants, 168 females) married for at least one year was recruited. Participants provided self-report data on demographic variables, family boundaries, family cohesion and adaptability, and marital satisfaction. The internal intrusion score (intrusion by families of origin on the nuclear family) of intergenerational family boundaries was negatively associated with marital satisfaction, while the external intrusion score (intrusion by the nuclear family on families of origin) was positively associated with marital satisfaction. The effect of intergenerational family boundaries on marital satisfaction was exerted indirectly through family cohesion and adaptability. There was a significant association between intergenerational family boundaries and adult children's marital satisfaction. This study contributes to the conceptual framework of structural family theory, enabling family therapy practitioners to better understand the pathways through which intergenerational family boundaries impact adult children's marital satisfaction. Highlights: The findings shed light on the critical role that intergenerational family boundaries in marital relationships. The internal intrusion of intergenerational family boundaries was negatively associated with marital satisfaction, while the external intrusion demonstrated a positive association. The findings suggested a significant indirect association between family boundaries and marital satisfaction through family cohesion and family adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most models that analyse risk and protective factors during adolescence include the family system and family functionality as key elements. For this reason, Family Counselling Services play an important role in addressing adolescent problems. These services require quick and easy-to-apply assessment tools that integrate different dimensions of family functioning. To develop and validate a brief scale for use in Family Counselling Services, exploring and confirming its factorial structure and testing its psychometric properties. Confirmatory Factor Analysis using structural equation modeling. 441 family members in seven units. Results: A 5-factor structure was confirmed, with a good fit. All the Average Variance Extracted values were higher than the Maximum Shared Squared Variance values. The results confirm the structure of the Family Functioning Scale-Madrid. In addition, the scale demonstrates adequate psychometric properties and stable structure during two evaluation periods with different samples. The instrument is considered reliable and consistent for of assessing family intervention carried out in Family Counselling Services. Highlights: What is known so far? Family system and functionality has a relevant role as a risk and/or protective factor with respect to maladaptive behaviours. One common demand of Family Counselling Services is to be able to count on assessment protocols and instruments adapted to their target population. Available evidence provides few instruments that assess family functioning in an agile way. What does this article contribute? This study provides a brief, reliable instrument with optimal psychometric properties. Family Functioning Scale-Madrid assesses specific dimensions of family change in counseling. Theoretical structure of Family Functioning Scale-Madrid aligns with the Circumplex and Family Stress models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]