Psychometric Properties of the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System in The Netherlands

Abstract

The current study explored the psychometric properties of a parent-child interaction observation system, the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) in the Netherlands. Participants included 31 Dutch mother-child dyads and 86 U.S. mother-child dyads for a community sample (2–7 years; 50% boys). Good one-week test-retest reliability was demonstrated among the Dutch sample. Similarities were found between Dutch and U.S. samples on most interaction codes, but mothers in the U.S. sample used more directive behaviors (e.g., commands) in some situations. Findings suggest that the DPICS is a reliable measure of mother-child interactions in the Dutch population. Cultural issues regarding the use of the DPICS are discussed.

Keywords:

• Dyadic-parent Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS)
• observational measures
• parent management training
• parent-child interaction
• parenting

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all parents, research assistants, and students who contributed to the data collection.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a grant provided by ZonMw, The Netherlands Organization of Health Research and Development [15700.2007].