The psychometric properties of the Parenting Scale for Spanish mothers with children aged between 2 and 7 years

Purpose:This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Parenting Scale in a large sample of Spanish mothers. Design and methods: A two-stage cross-sectional study of the adaptation and cultural validation of the Parenting Scale in a Spanish-speaking environment. In Stage I, the Parenting Scale was translated and back-translated and its semantic, linguistic, and contextual equivalence was assessed. In Stage II, the Spanish-language version was validated after its application to 662 Spanish mothers with healthy children aged between 2 and 7 years. Several factor structure models of the Parenting Scale were compared by confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also examined. Results: The model of Irvine et al. (1999) presented the best fit to our data. This model demonstrated adequate reliability (internal consistency and stability). The total score and each factor of the Parenting Scale correlated positively with perceived stress in mothers, difficulties in mother-child bonding and child hyperactivity, and negatively with child prosocial behavior. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Parenting Scale is a valid and reliable measure that can be used by healthcare professionals and scientists to assess dysfunctional parenting in Spanish mothers of children aged 2 to 7 years. Practice implications: This study will allow the use of the Parenting Scale in epidemiological and cross-cultural studies in a variety of applied contexts. Additionally, health professionals who work with families in Spain will have access to a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of mothers' parenting styles.