Improving Family Communication in Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Participants' self-perceived communication competence is assessed using an 11-item scale adapted from the Family Communication Scale (FCS). The scale consists of 10 items adapted from the original FCS to measure perceived ability to engage in positive communication with adult children, plus an additional item regarding overall communicagtion competence. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale (1-5), with a total score ranging from 11 to 55. Higher scores indicate a higher level of perceived communication competence.

The 10-item Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ; Steger et al., 2006) is used. It consists of two subscales: presence of meaning (5 items) and search of meaning (5 items). Each subscale is rated on a 7-point scale, with summed scores are calculated (ranged 5-35 for each). Higher scores indicate stronger sense of purpose and motivation to find meaning, respectively.

Participants' self-efficacy will be assessed using the 6-item General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-6; Romppel et al., 2013). It is typically rated on a 4-point scale from 1 to 4. Total scores range from 6 to 24, with higher scores reflecting greater perceived self-efficacy.

The 5-item WHO Well-Being Index will be adopted for measuring participants' subjective well-being (Bech, 1998; Kong et al., 2016), rated on a 7-point scale. The WHO-5 score ranges from 0 to 25, zero representing worst possible mental well-being and 25 representing best possible mental well-being.

We used a 5-item scale adapted from the Control subscale of the Parent-Adult Child Relationship Questionnaire's Relationship with Father component (PACQF; Peisah et al., 1999). While the original scale assess children's perceptions of parental conrtol, this adapted version is a self-report measure for parent to assess their attempt to maintain power, influence, or dominance over their adult children. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale, with a total score ranging 5-25. Higher scores indicater higher levels of parent control, reflecting weaker awareness of role boundaries in parent-adult children relationship.

The 5-item Family Adaption, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve questionnaire (Family APGAR; Chan et al., 1988; Smilkstein, 1978) is used. This scale assesses participants' satisfaction with five aspects of family function. Each item is rated on a 3-point scale (0-2), with a total score ranged from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate better family functioning.

We used the 4-item Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) from Weiner et al (2017) to access training appropriateness. All items are rated on a 5-point scale (1-5), with an average score being calculated. Higher scores indicate greater perceived appropriateness of training.

The 4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) from Weiner et al (2017) is adopted to access training appropriateness. All items are rated on a 5-point scale (1-5), with an average score being calculated. Higher scores indicate greater perceived acceptability of training.

This study used the 4-item Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) from Weiner et al (2017) to access training feasibility. All items are rated on a 5-point scale (1-5), with an average score being calculated. Higher scores indicate greater perceived feasibility of training.