The parent affect test: Development, validity, and reliability

Abstract

The studies described here report the development of a Parent Affect Test (PAT), measuring parental anger (PATa) and pleasure (PATp) towards children, together with reliability and validity tests. A behavior‐analytic approach was used; situations and anger/pleasure related response scales were empirically generated. Married parents filling out the scale rated themselves and their spouse on typical anger and pleasure towards their children. The pattern of results suggested acceptable reliability and some validity of the PA Ta for mothers and the PATp for fathers. The inventory was also given to mothers attending Parents Anonymous (PA). The PATa significantly differentiated PA from a control group of mothers.