Measuring Parenting Practices Across Four Dimensions in Adults with Disabilities: Development of the Revised Affirmative to Problem Parenting Scale (R-APPS)

Abstract

This paper summarizes the development and validation of the Revised Affirmative to Problem Parenting Scale (R-APPS) using a sample of 643 adults with disabilities. Results of exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlations, and reliability estimates reveal sound psychometric structure for a 4-factor scale distinguishing problem parenting practices.

Keywords:

• Emotional maltreatment
• parenting practices
• confirmatory factor analysis
• scale development
• mandated reporters

Disclosure Statement

The ideas, opinions, and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent recommendations, endorsements, or policies of the US Department of Education.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was developed with support from the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Targeted Communities (VRTAC-TC or Project E3) at the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, funded by the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (Grant number H264F15003).

Notes on contributors

Deirdre O’Sullivan

Deirdre O’Sullivan is an associate professor at Penn State and teaches in the Rehabilitation and Human Services and Counselor Education programs. Her research focuses on interventions for people concurrently recovering from Chronic Illness and Disability (CID), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and trauma.

Chelsea Brehmer is a first-year postdoctoral fellow in the Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Dr. Brehmer’s research interests include: reentry and rehabilitation challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions that have experienced incarceration, employment, health and functioning, and individual career development.

Brian N. Phillips is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at Utah State University. His research is focused on strength-based approaches to improve employment and participation for people with disabilities.

Jennifer L. Hanna is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education. Her research focuses on trauma informed counseling practices.

David R. Strauser is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is the interagency coordinator for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work. He is the editor in chief for Rehabilitation Research Policy and Education.