Factor Analysis of the Financial Strain Index from the Welfare, Children and Families: A Three-City Study, Wave 3

This paper uses the Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study data. The three cities included are Boston, Chicago, San Antonio. total sample size was n = 1,773, almost all respondents were female caregivers (99%). An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on financial strain index conducted because previous research reporting an EFA is limited. construct examined using a Principal Component (PCA) in two Structural Equation Models (SEMs) recursive path analysis estimated by ordinary least squares regression. These articles provide theoretical basis for reported this paper. Results of indicate one-factor model (RMSEA (.064), CFI (.975), TLI (.958), 2 74.995, df 9, p< .001), two-factor (.035), (.997), (.988), 12.722, 4, p =.0127) both good fits to However, more appropriate than based Eigenvalues scree plot. Additional from with samples different populations needed further support retaining model. valuable composite measure summarizing responses several rank-ordered items measuring concept strain. We recommend that therapy practitioners use as measurement tool assess client