Exploring the Factor Structure of the Revised-Parent as a Social Context Questionnaire

SYNOPSISObjective. This study explored the factor structure and provided evidence of the validity and reliability of the Revised Parents as a Social Context Questionnaire. Design. Online surveys were completed by 404 parents of children ages 2–18 years. An exploratory factor analysis and a second-order factor analysis were conducted to generate six subscales (warmth, rejection, structure, chaos, autonomy support, and coercion) and an overall measure of parenting style quality based on Self-Determination Theory. Results. Validity and reliability analyses indicate that the Revised Parents as a Social Context Questionnaire can be used to assess six characteristics of parenting style and how well the overall quality of parenting style addresses the psychological needs of children. Conclusions. The Revised Parents as a Social Context Questionnaire can be used as a valid and reliable measure of parenting style for the present sample. Research is needed to provide additional support for the validity and reliability of this measure with other samples.