The Role of Psychological Empowerment and Family Resilience in Predicting Family Functioning among Malaysian Adults
Keywords:
Psychological Empowerment, Family Resilience, Family FunctioningAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of psychological empowerment and family resilience in determining levels of family functioning among adults in Malaysia.
Methods and Materials: A correlational descriptive design was employed with a sample of 440 Malaysian adults, determined using the Morgan and Krejcie sampling table. Data were collected through standardized instruments, including the Family Assessment Device (Epstein et al., 1983) for family functioning, the Psychological Empowerment Scale (Spreitzer, 1995) for empowerment, and the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (Sixbey, 2005) for resilience. Participants completed the measures voluntarily through online and community-based surveys. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation to assess relationships between variables, and multiple linear regression to determine predictive effects. Assumptions of normality, linearity, and multicollinearity were tested and confirmed prior to analysis.
Findings: Results showed significant positive correlations between family functioning and both psychological empowerment (r = .52, p < .001) and family resilience (r = .61, p < .001). The regression model was statistically significant, F(2, 437) = 193.21, p < .001, with an R² value of .47, indicating that empowerment and resilience jointly explained 47% of the variance in family functioning. Both predictors made significant contributions to the model, with psychological empowerment (β = .34, t = 7.41, p < .001) and family resilience (β = .48, t = 10.26, p < .001) emerging as strong predictors. Family resilience demonstrated the stronger standardized effect, highlighting its central role in family adaptation.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that psychological empowerment and family resilience are critical determinants of healthy family functioning. Interventions that strengthen empowerment and resilience among family members may promote adaptability, cohesion, and well-being within Malaysian families.
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