The objective of this study was to determine the factorial validity of the Chinese version of the General Family
Functioning subscale (GF-12) and to assess parents’ perceived family functioning of children with or without
chronic respiratory disease in Malaysia. Thirty two parents of children with chronic respiratory disease and
30 parents of healthy children were recruited. The GF-12 was administered at baseline and 2 weeks later.
Confirmatory factor analysis showed that our instrument was a 1-factor model assessing general family
functioning. Cronbach’s α value was 0.950. Test-retest reliability coefficient ranged from 0.490-0.790. The overall
mean (standard deviation) score was not significantly different between parent’s perceived family functioning
of children with or without respiratory disease [1.83(0.63) versus 1.65(0.46), p=0.385]. The Chinese version
of the GF-12 was found to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess family functioning in Malaysia. Parents
in the present study showed healthy perceived family functioning (total score >2.00).