The development and validation of modern parenting styles scale

This study presents the development and validation of the Modern Parenting Styles Scale (MPSS), a nuanced and complementary tool designed to measure four distinct parenting styles namely helicopter parenting, digital parenting, snowplow parenting, and free-range parenting. The scale was developed through two independent studies consist of a total of 1,111 participants (Study 1 = 648 & Study 2 = 463). Study 1 was conducted to assess the factor structure of the MPSS and its underlying dimensions for a large pool of items. Study 2 was conducted to confirm the four-factor structure of the MPSS. The scale demonstrated strong reliability, with McDonald’s ω value of 0.88 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients value of 0.89. The test—retest reliability was also robust, with a coefficient of 0.72. To establish validity of the scale, both convergent and divergent validity were evaluated, yielding satisfactory results, suggesting that the scale effectively measures distinct factors within modern parenting styles. The MPSS is a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners seeking to examine the association between different parenting styles and developmental outcomes of the children. The study highlights the scale’s utility in providing insights into how different parenting approaches impact well-being of children in an increasingly complex digital and social environment. Future research may expand on these findings by exploring the scale’s predictive validity and its application across diverse cultural contexts.