Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Validation of a new self-report measure of parental attributions.

Full Abstract

Attributional theory and empirical evidence suggest that a tendency to make stable, global self-causal attributions for undesirable events is associated with negative outcomes. However, existing self-report measures of parental attributions do not account for the possibility that dysfunctional parent-causal attributions for child misbehavior might be important predictors of poor family functioning. To address these concerns, the authors developed and tested a new measure of both parent-causal and child-responsible attributions for child misbehavior in a sample of 453 community couples. Structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the new measure were examined. As expected, confirmatory factor analysis resulted in 2 factors, Child-Responsible (9 items) and Parent-Causal (7 items); the final model was cross-validated in a holdout sample. The final scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (alphas = .81-.90), test-retest reliability (rs = .55-.76), and convergent and discriminant validity. Dysfunctional parent-causal and child-responsible attributions significantly predicted parental emotional problems, ineffective discipline, parent-child physical aggression, and low parenting satisfaction. Associations with parent-child aggression and parenting satisfaction were generally larger than with partner aggression and relationship satisfaction. Copyright 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

Author information

Author/s: Snarr, Jeffery D (JD); Slep, Amy M Smith (AM); Grande, Vincent P (VP);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA. jsnarr(-atsign-)notes.cc.sunysb.edu

Grants: R01MH57985 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Validation Studies

Journal: Psychological assessment (Psychol Assess), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 21 (issue 3) : pp 390-401

Dates: Created 2009/09/01; Completed 2009/11/03;

PMID: 19719350, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/3/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Aggression - psychology Anger Child Behavior - psychology Child Behavior Disorders - complications; psychology Child, Preschool Conflict (Psychology) Depressive Disorder - complications; psychology Factor Analysis, Statistical Family Relations Female Humans

Humans Internal-External Control Male New York Parent-Child Relations Parenting - psychology Parents - psychology Personal Satisfaction Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data Reproducibility of Results Self Assessment (Psychology) Self Disclosure

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