The Reliability of Measurement and the Cross-Time Stability of Individual and Family Variables

Using data from a 31-year panel study, we evaluate both the reliability of measurement of family attitudes, relationships, and self-concepts and the stability of these variables across time. We also compare the reliability of measurement and the stability of variables across time in these domains of family life with the reliability and stability of behavioral dimensions. Our results provide considerable support for the hypothesis that family relationships, attitudes, and self-concepts can be measured reliably. We also demonstrate that selfconcepts and family relationships and attitudes have high levels of stability across significant periods of time, and that these are comparable to those for the behavioral indicators we examined.